Speaking after Barcelona’s crucial 2-1 win over Real Madrid in La Liga, defender Sergi Roberto stated that he wants former teammate Lionel Messi to return to Barcelona in the summer as the Argentine does not deserve the treatment he is receiving in Paris.
Messi left Barça for PSG in 2021, after the Catalans could not extend his contract. But close to two years into his stint in France, the 35-year-old could be on the move again this summer as his contract is set to expire.
Talks with PSG over a new deal have been going on, but there have been strong speculations about a possible return to Barcelona for one last dance.
Indeed, reports from France suggest that Messi is intent on going back to Barça while it is also being claimed that PSG themselves are not sure about a renewal for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, despite negotiations taking place.
Amidst all this, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has been receiving hostile treatment from PSG fans, who are blaming him for the club’s exit from the UEFA Champions League and their recent run of poor results.
With the situation being as it is, Roberto has now stated that Messi should return to Barcelona in the summer as he does not deserve to be treated the way he is being in Paris.
“With open arms, who wouldn’t be ready for Messi’s return. In the end, we don’t want to talk too much because it’s up to him, the president, the coach, or whoever, but if it’s up to the players, we’re already waiting for him,” he said
Talking about the treatment he is receiving from PSG fans, Roberto added: “You don’t understand why, he is having good seasons in Paris, scoring a lot of goals, assisting…”
“They’ve taken it out on him because of the elimination, but he’s a spectacular player and it’s very bad that a player of this level is treated in this way. We’re going to treat him very well here if he comes.”
Roberto is not the first Barça player to talk up Messi’s return, with Ronald Araujo also stating last week that he would love to see his former captain make a comeback to the club.
Barcelona will need to resolve their Financial Fair Play problems before they can press ahead with the potential signing of Messi as they have to cut down their wage bill significantly before the summer. It might require them to offload some of the current players.
