Netherlands national football team manager Ronald Koeman believes Lionel Messi will not return to FC Barcelona amid speculation linking the Argentine with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain.
Lionel Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after his contract with the Catalan outfit had expired. He has since been plying his trade for Paris Saint-Germain but his current contract with the French side expires at the end of the season. Messi and PSG have not yet reached an agreement over a new contract that would see the 35-year-old extend his stay at the French capital.
That has led to speculation surrounding the future of Lionel Messi. The Argentina international has attracted transfer interest from Saudi Arabia while Major League Soccer is also mooted as a potential destination.
FC Barcelona are also reportedly looking into the possibility of bringing back Lionel Messi on a free transfer after the end of the current campaign. But Ronald Koeman, who is also a former Barcelona player and manager, believes Messi will not return to the Catalan outfit.
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Ronald Koeman: I do not think Lionel Messi will return to Barcelona
Ronald Koeman has indicated Lionel Messi is more likely to move to Major League Soccer or Saudi Arabia if he leaves PSG at the end of the season.
“I do not think Messi will return to Barcelona. [Sergio] Busquets will leave, Jordi Alba will not stay either and these three are good friends. I wouldn’t be surprised if they went to Miami or Saudi Arabia together,” Ronald Koeman told ESPN [via GOAL].
FC Barcelona has already confirmed club captain Sergio Busquets will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires. Busquets will likely head to either MLS or Saudi Arabia. Lionel Messi shares a close friendship with the Spaniard.
Jordi Alba is another Barcelona veteran expected to leave the club after the end of the current campaign. He and Messi are also friends. Messi, Alba, and Busquets were spotted having dinner in Barcelona in April this year.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen who Lionel Messi will be plying his trade for next season.
The Argentine, however, will now be aiming to aid PSG to Ligue 1 glory this season. PSG moved one step closer to the league title following their 5-0 win over Ajaccio in their most recent fixture in the French top-flight.
