How Lionel Messi’s wife is key to Barcelona return

FT Desk

• 30 Oct 2022 18:15 GMT
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi’s wife Antonella is the key to the PSG superstar returning to Barcelona next summer.

The Daily Mail reports that Messi’s immediate family, particularly Antonella, miss Catalonia and see Barcelona as their home.

They want to move back to their beloved city, having felt devastated at having to leave for Paris last year.

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This is understood to be playing a key role in Messi’s decision on whether to return to Barcelona at the end of the season.

Messi’s contract with PSG expires at the end of the 2022-23 season, although he has an option to extend his deal by another year.

Barcelona would like to bring Messi back to Camp Nou, although his salary demands could prove problematic.

The 35-year-old joined PSG from Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021.

Messi to return to Barcelona?

Messi broke virtually every record during over 20 years at Camp Nou, scoring an incredible 672 goals in 778 games.

He also won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League, in addition to numerous other individual and team honours.

But Barcelona were unable to sign him to a new deal in the summer of 2021 – mainly for financial reasons - leading to an infamous farewell press conference in which Messi broke down and cried.

Messi endured a difficult first season in Paris, scoring just four Ligue 1 goals all campaign and performing poorly as PSG were dumped out of the Champions League – capitulating from 2-0 up on aggregate to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid in the last-16.

However, he has been in fine form so far this campaign, already registering 12 goals and 13 assists.