Last Thursday was a day of important appointments for Barcelona fans. Xavi's Barça received Manchester United at the Camp Nou in the first leg of the Europa League round of 32 and the president Joan Laporta, as announced by the Tot Costa program on Catalunya Ràdio, met Jorge Messi, the father from Leo. There were no plates or cutlery in the first meeting that both had since Messi had to change Barcelona for Paris in the summer of 2021. They did share a snack. The meeting did not take place in any restaurant or in any public place in Barcelona. They chose a private setting. Both parties sought maximum discretion, fleeing from prying eyes. The meeting was scheduled a week after Messi rejected PSG's first renewal offer.
To arrive on time for the appointment, Jorge Messi landed in Barcelona on Wednesday night. Alejandro Echevarría, a man most trusted by Laporta and one of the few in the club who maintain a good relationship with the Messi, acted as a mediator. That is why the meeting mainly served to iron out rough edges. “They talked about everything. It was a much needed meeting. Messi is the history of FC Barcelona ”, say sources from the Blaugrana club.
In the conversation they had, they talked about how Leo was in Paris, a possible tribute to the Argentine 10 at the Camp Nou and the statements that Leo's older brother, Matías Messi, poured out on Twich using some controversial words that did not sit well. nothing good to the club. “If we return to Barcelona, we are going to do a good cleaning. You have to throw out Laporta, an ungrateful person, ”said the older brother. The president did not like his words. But things calmed down when the next day Matías asked for forgiveness. The anger completely dissipated when Jorge Messi acknowledged to Laporta that the statements had not been timely. He also separated them from Leo Messi's thoughts.
As for his future, nothing is clear. Although before the World Cup and also in Doha, Messi reached an agreement in principle with PSG to renew at least one more season, the first economic offer that he was presented with a week ago did not convince him. The shadow of fair play is looming over all the clubs. Also to the French, who must lower his salary mass by more than 30 percent. And that is why the club asked Messi a lower salary than what he receives now. The Argentine rejected that first offer and his father went to Barcelona.
Messi's contract with PSG ends on June 30. It seems difficult for Barça to be his next destination, because as Jorge Messi himself acknowledged when he returned to Paris on Thursday afternoon, "the conditions are not met." Yes they are given for a tribute. Laporta would like to return to the new Camp Nou in 2024 (still half done), the year in which the club celebrates 125 years of history, saying goodbye to Messi. Inter Miami is still waiting for an answer. But Messi is clear that he wants to compete at the highest level to play in the 2024 Copa América. For this reason, PSG, less optimistic than in January, will return to attack.
