“Let’s leave him in peace to enjoy his time in Paris and wish him all the best” Xavi opens up on Lionel Messi’s return to Barcelona

Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi, has asked the media to “leave Lionel Messi alone” and to stop speculating about his possible return to the team.

Messi left Barça after his contract with the club expired in the summer of 2021 and the club was unable to offer him a new one due to financial constraints. He later joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

But Messi has been hotly tipped to return to Catalonia ever since arriving in France, and Xavi was once more questioned about the possibility before Barcelona’s Champions League trip to Inter.

“With Leo, let’s see, but it’s not the moment to talk about it right now,” he said.

“You know the love I have for him. He is a friend and I will always wish him the best. Barça is his home, but we’re not doing him any favours speaking about [his future], either.

“Let’s leave him in peace to enjoy his time in Paris and wish him all the best.”

Messi scored six goals and contributed 14 assists in 26 Ligue 1 games during his first season at PSG, which was rather slow by his own standards.

His 2022–23 season has gotten off to a much better start, with five goals and seven assists so far.

While rival Real Madrid could only manage a draw at home to Osasuna, Barcelona moved to the top of the La Liga standings after defeating Mallorca.