Barcelona president Joan Laporta fuels hopes Lionel Messi could seal incredible Nou Camp return

Joan Laporta has fuelled Barcelona hopes that Lionel Messi could return to the club this summer after a video emerged online showing him answer ‘yes’ to a supporter’s question regarding the Argentine returning. 

Messi’s immediate future is up in the air with his Paris Saint-Germain deal set to expire this summer amid reports of tensions having emerged between him and the club post-World Cup.

A move across the Atlantic to the MLS has been mooted, with Inter Miami the most likely destination should he opt for that.

However, increasingly a return to Barcelona has appeared on the cards, with reports emerging suggesting it is Messi’s preference. The Catalan club have confirmed that talks are underway between the two parties.

Fanning the flames of a glorious return for the Argentine, a smiling Laporta greeted waiting supporters ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Getafe over the weekend. 

A relaxed Joan Laporta tackled the big questions while supporters asked for photographs

The Barcelona president fuelled hopes that Lionel Messi could return after two years away

Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires this summer and a renewal looks increasingly uncertain

One fan plucked up the courage to ask about a return for the club’s favourite son this summer, a question to which the Barcelona president responded, ‘Yes.’

The video, shared on social media by Carrusel Deportivo, shows a relaxed Laporta, seemingly very happy to tackle the big questions surrounding the club while adoring fans asked for – and received – photographs.

Messi left Barcelona in floods of tears in 2021 after the two parties could not reach an agreement on a contract renewal. It was seen as one of the first major steps of Laporta’s return to the presidency, with the club facing a major financial crisis after years of wild overspending.

Barcelona are presently mired in a series of scandals and issues, some related to their finances. It is believed that these could have an impact on their summer transfer plans, though Messi himself would not command a fee should he opt to leave the French capital.

Laporta delivered a press conference to the media on Monday morning after his interaction with supporters on Sunday

It was confirmed by Laporta’s number two Rafa Yuste that talks are underway with Messi and his representatives, though such is the nature of Barcelona at present his return will be no formality.

According to Gerard Romero on Jijantes FC, a viability plan had to be presented to La Liga related to his signing as the league’s tight watchfulness over their finances continues. 

Meanwhile, Laporta was asked about a number of other topics related to the club, not least regarding the payments made to former Vice President of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira. 

When asked about it, Laporta responded: ‘Now, now you’ll see.’ 

He is expected to host a question and answer session with the media on Monday at the Nou Camp, with the referee scandal high on the agenda. Barcelona have denied wrongdoing throughout, insisting they were honest consultancy payments.