REVEALED: How Busquets exit holds key to Messi’s Barcelona return

Tom Hancock

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:37 CDT
• 3 min read

Sergio Busquets’ imminent departure from Barcelona could pave the way for Lionel Messi to make a sensational Camp Nou homecoming, according to LaLiga president Javier Tebas.

Skipper Busquets announced on Wednesday that he will leave Barca at the end of the season after 18 years, with his contract about to expire.

The veteran midfielder – who turns 35 in July – is the last member of Pep Guardiola’s legendary team still at the club, after Messi moved on two years ago and Gerard Pique retired last year.

READ MORE: The five players Barcelona could sign to replace Busquets

Speaking to COPE, Tebas explained that parting ways with Busquets would at least get the ball rolling in Barca’s bid to re-sign Messi. He said:

“Busquets’ departure is the beginning of the road for Messi to return – but to reach the end, they [Barca] still have to walk many metres. I’m not the one to give them the green light; it will be their economic control.”

Barca face another transfer window complicated by their ongoing financial difficulties – which were the overriding factor in their having to let Messi go as a free agent in the first place.

READ MORE: Barcelona receive MASSIVE fine in fresh scandal

Messi is set to leave PSG when his contract expires next month – when he turns 36 – having spent the last two seasons with the Ligue 1 giants.

Whether he will make a romantic return to Barca appears very uncertain, though – especially in light of reports linking him with a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia, where his former LaLiga rival Cristiano Ronaldo is currently playing for Al-Nassr.

A recent visit to the Gulf state to promote the country’s tourist board landed Messi in hot water with PSG – who suspended the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner as they hadn’t granted him permission to travel.