Messi to make return to Paris? Argentine legend's close friend fuelling rumours

Rumours are rife about a possible return of Lionel Messi, the Argentine legend and world champion, to Paris. Messi, who ended his 18-year long relationship with Barcelona in 2021, played in the French club PSG until 2023. But the player rather had an uncomfortable couple of years at the French capital.

Messi also felt unappreciated at PSG, especially towards the end of his stint there. Argentina won the world title after defeating France in the finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. While the Argentine players who won the World Cup were warmly welcomed by their clubs, Messi, the star and captain of the World Cup winning side, didn't receive a similar treatment. Undestandably, PSG fans welcomed Messi, who beat their country in the final, with boos.

After leaving PSG, Messi moved to Inter Miami FC in USA's Major League Soccer. The legend received a royal welcome in America and is still warmly welcomed across the stadiums there.

Though there are rumours of Messi's return to France, neither PSG nor any other French club has confirmed this.

This year, the Olympics will be held in Paris. Argentina has qualified for the football tournament. The U-23 team is usually fielded in the Olympics with up to three senior players allowed in the squad. Javier Mascherano, the coach of the current Under-23 team and Messi's close friend and former teammate, is trying to get Messi to one of these positions. Messi has also played for the national team under Mascherano's captaincy.