With the rumours of Lionel Messi possibly returning to FC Barcelona in the summer transfer window doing the rounds, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was asked for his opinion on the potential operation.
It has been close to two years since Messi left Barcelona, joining PSG on a free transfer after the Blaugrana could not renew his contract.
However, with his deal with the French champions set to expire at the end of the season, talks of a potential return to Catalonia have been gaining momentum with each passing day.
It has been reported that Messi has asked Barcelona to do everything they can to re-sign him in the summer.
Amidst this, Ancelotti was asked about the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner’s possible return to Barcelona and La Liga, but the Real Madrid boss did not appear to be too bothered about, as he said (h/t Real Madrid Twitter):
“He can do whatever he wants, Barcelona too. It’s not an issue for me. I like Messi.”
The Real Madrid manager was also of the opinion that the difference between the two teams is not as big as the 11-point gap in the La Liga table indicates, saying: “It’s not the real gap between the two teams. We’re going to work to cut it.”
As far as Messi’s return to Barcelona is concerned, it has been reported that the club is planning to offer him a contract worth around €13 million per year (net) and sign him for two seasons until 2025.
The Blaugrana have also sent their economic feasibility plan to La Liga and are waiting for the go-ahead from the league before they can open formal contract talks with their former captain.
