Lionel Messi or Neymar could make a blockbuster return to Barcelona – but not both.
That’s the view of LaLiga President Javier Tebas who has categorically ruled out one of the two stars making a return to the Catalan club.
Messi and Neymar spent four seasons together at the Nou Camp and, along with Luis Suarez to complete the ‘MSN’ triumvirate, helped fire Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2015.
Neymar’s world-record switch to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 appeared to put an end to the pair’s on-field heroics until Messi joined the Brazilian in the French capital four years later.
But PSG’s hopes that their rekindled partnership would catapult the club to European glory fell flat, and both stars ultimately departed the Ligue 1 giants in 2023 – Messi heading to MLS with Inter Miami, while Neymar opted for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
While the Argentine continues to make waves in Florida, Neymar has spent much of his time on the sidelines having suffered a serious knee injury in October 2023.
The recent termination of his contract in Saudi and short-term switch to boyhood club Santos has been a success, with the forward once again delighting home crowds in Brazil.
However, his whereabouts beyond the end of his contract in July remains a mystery.
Messi has long been linked with an emotional return to Barcelona since his departure while Neymar, who continues to flirt with his former club on social media, has seemingly settled his long-winded legal dispute with the club.
Tebas has lifted the lid on the prospect of both stars returning to LaLiga and revealed who he thinks is most likely to don the famous shirt for a second time.
“I think Messi wants to go back to Barcelona,” Tebas said at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit. “He spent lots of years there.
“I am quite sure Messi will come back. Maybe as a player, but I can see him returning in another capacity as well.
AFPThe pair were later reunited at Paris Saint-Germain[/caption]
“Messi and Barcelona go hand in hand. His brand, and Barcelona’s brand, are in many ways one and the same. He is in love with the club.
“Neymar is a different story. I don’t think he will ever return to Barcelona. I am quite sure of that.”
A move for 37-year-old Messi may feel, for some, as a step in the wrong direction considering Barcelona’s difficulties in reshaping their squad since the Argentine’s departure.
Add to that the club’s ongoing financial problems which has resulted in a number of embarrassing situations around player registration.
Barcelona are slowly building a team capable of challenging for domestic and European honours and under the guidance of Hansi Flick, they have played arguably their best football since Messi’s heyday.
On the other hand, few would be adverse to Messi playing out one final season as a goodbye to the club where he made his name and made history as one of game’s greatest-ever players.
All eyes will be on the World Cup winner as he enters into his final season in Miami.
Reports had previously suggested that he was angling for a farewell season with Argentine outfit Newell’s Old Boys.
But the lure of a newly revamped Nou Camp might just be too much to turn down for both Messi and a cash-strapped Barcelona who would see revenues skyrocket by his return.
As for Neymar, his future remains unclear beyond this summer and while he has shown snippets of his old self in recent weeks, clubs will almost certainly take a cautious approach due to his recent spate of injuries.
For now, Barcelona’s focus is on this weekend’s clash with Real Sociedad as they try to stay ahead of Real Madrid and Atletico in the title race.
The three Spanish giants are all neck-and-neck at the top of the table, with Barca and Real tied on 54 points and Atleti only one point behind them in third place.
Flick’s side could also taste success in the Copa del Rey, where they play Atletico in the semi-finals, while Champions League glory is still on the cards ahead of next week’s round-of-16 clash against Benfica.