Barcelona coach, Xavi thrashes talks of Lionel Messi’s return to the club: ‘It’s impossible’

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 08: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on May 08, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez has talked down reports of a possible reunion with former Barcelona player and teammate, Lionel Messi.

According to Xavi, he’s satisfied with the current crop of players in his squad and doesn’t need Lionel Messi to be part of it.

Messi has already spent one season in France, after leaving Barca as a free agent but the 35-year-old is being linked with a return to the Camp Nou, where his former team-mate Xavi is now head coach. Messi signed a two-year deal with PSG and could be a free agent next year.

Barca president Joan Laporta told ESPN last week that he considers it his responsibility to ensure Messi has a “more beautiful ending” at Camp Nou following his painful exit last summer.

Laporta said: “Messi was everything. To Barca, he’s been possibly its greatest player,

However, Xavi isn’t entertaining the idea of signing Messi this summer. “He has a contract and it’s impossible right now,” the Barcelona boss told reporters in Dallas on Monday evening ahead of their upcoming friendly against Serie A side Juventus on Tuesday July 26.

“Messi is the best footballer in the world and in history. President Laporta already said that Messi’s story with Barca is not over, but now is not the time to talk about it.”

“(It) makes no sense to speak about Leo Messi’s comeback at Barcelona right now, he’s under contract with PSG so it’s impossible. We’ll see in the future.

“Laporta had already said he hoped it was not yet the end for Messi at Barça,” Xavi added.