Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that he wants Lionel Messi to return to the Nou Camp this summer.

As reported by Forbes’ Tom Sanderson, Laporta said to Spanish television channel TV3: “I have spoken to Messi, we’ve recovered the relationship. It was very nice.” This is the first time the Barca president has been open in his pursuit of the former Catalan giants’ captain and record goalscorer since taking the reigns in his second spell as president in 2021.

Barcelona is Messi’s home, says club president

Laporta went on to also say “In (Saudi) Arabia they are doing a good job and investing, but I insist, Barca is his home. We want Leo”.

The 60-year-old also went on to confirm that the club is also in negotiations to extend manager Xavi Hernandez’s contract after the Catalans won their first La Liga title since 2019 yesterday, beating their bitter city rivals Espanyol 4-2 in the process. “He (Xavi) understands perfectly the circumstances of the club and that he deserves recognition from the club,” said Laporta.