Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has opened the door to Leo Messi's return from PSG, who he joined in the summer of 2021.
"The best player in the world and in history would always fit in," he said at the press conference ahead of Thursday's Europa League play-off second leg at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
When asked about Messi's possible return to Barcelona -- the Argentinian's contract with PSG expires on 30 June -- Xavi commented that "I have nothing to add. I said at the time that this is his home and that the doors are open to him, so I can't say any more."
In any case, the Barça boss commented that Messi "is a friend, we are in permanent contact and with the president we talk about a lot of things and nothing more. From there it will depend a lot on him, on what he wants to do in the future, on what fits for the club.... But it's clear that this is his home, there's no doubt about it"
More praise
On the player's age (he will be 36 in June), Xavi has not drawn any red lines, quite the opposite: "The best footballer in the world and in history would always fit in".
Messi, a Blaugrana player between 2004 and 2021, is the Barcelona player with the most games played (778) and the one who has scored the most goals (672).