Lionel Messi vows to return to Barcelona 'one day'
Lionel Messi has reassured Barcelona fans he plans to return to Camp Nou at some point down the line.
Messi surprisingly left the club this past summer, with Barcelona's financial struggles making a contract extension impossible and forcing the Argentine to seek an emotional switch to Paris Saint-Germain.
The idea of a return to Barcelona has never been ruled out, however, with president Joan Laporta recently confessing he would be interested in bringing both Messi and Andres Iniesta back to work alongside new manager Xavi.
"I always said that at some point I will return to Barcelona because it is my home and because I am going to live there," he told Marca. "And obviously if I can contribute and help the club I would love to come back."
Interestingly, Messi's first thought when asked about a return to Barcelona was coming back as a player, although he refused to reveal whether that was actually a possibility.
It was then put to Messi that there may have been other reasons behind his departure than purely financial problems, but the forward was in no mood to listen to such speculation.
"I don't know. I left and time has passed," he continued. "What they told me is that they couldn't renew me and that I couldn't stay.
"You don't have to look for more culprits to try and see what happened. I'll stick with what they told me and that's that."
Messi also admitted to being saddened by Barcelona's current struggles. His former side are seventh in La Liga, six points adrift of the top four and ten behind leaders Real Madrid, while they also face a real battle to qualify from their Champions League group.
"Yes, obviously [it upsets me]. I always want the best for Barcelona," he said. "I'm a fan even though I'm not playing there now. And I have colleagues and friends there within the team. I want them to do well.
"Obviously, in the league there have been a lot of points dropped, but there is still so much left to play for and I have no doubt that Barcelona will bounce back and climb the table."
Messi surprisingly left the club this past summer, with Barcelona's financial struggles making a contract extension impossible and forcing the Argentine to seek an emotional switch to Paris Saint-Germain.
The idea of a return to Barcelona has never been ruled out, however, with president Joan Laporta recently confessing he would be interested in bringing both Messi and Andres Iniesta back to work alongside new manager Xavi.
"I always said that at some point I will return to Barcelona because it is my home and because I am going to live there," he told Marca. "And obviously if I can contribute and help the club I would love to come back."
Interestingly, Messi's first thought when asked about a return to Barcelona was coming back as a player, although he refused to reveal whether that was actually a possibility.
It was then put to Messi that there may have been other reasons behind his departure than purely financial problems, but the forward was in no mood to listen to such speculation.
"I don't know. I left and time has passed," he continued. "What they told me is that they couldn't renew me and that I couldn't stay.
"You don't have to look for more culprits to try and see what happened. I'll stick with what they told me and that's that."
Messi also admitted to being saddened by Barcelona's current struggles. His former side are seventh in La Liga, six points adrift of the top four and ten behind leaders Real Madrid, while they also face a real battle to qualify from their Champions League group.
"Yes, obviously [it upsets me]. I always want the best for Barcelona," he said. "I'm a fan even though I'm not playing there now. And I have colleagues and friends there within the team. I want them to do well.
"Obviously, in the league there have been a lot of points dropped, but there is still so much left to play for and I have no doubt that Barcelona will bounce back and climb the table."
Source: 90Min
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