FC Barcelona fans are hoping that a goal in the last minute will ‘change the game’! Although the Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal is ready to acquire the Argentinian player Lionel Messi who left the French club PSG, Barca has not given up hope. Jorge Messi, the player’s father, and agent, said that Messi is interested in returning to the Spanish club. Jorge’s words came after a discussion with Barca president Joan Laporte. La Liga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules have been an obstacle for Barca and Messi until now. These rules are mainly to prevent clubs from spending more than they bring in and going bankrupt. According to this, no club can spend extra money on the transfer and remuneration of players. In 2021, Barca had to let go of Messi at the point where he could not comply with the FFP rules.
Since then, Barca has been trying to balance the financial situation by reducing the salaries of the main players and taking only free agents in the team. This time, with the departure of senior players Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, the board believes that the status of the club has been secured. But with Saudi club Al Hilal offering an annual salary of US$ 40 crore (roughly Rs. 3270 crores), Barca is facing the challenge of bringing Messi to the team without violating FFP rules. If Messi takes a pay cut and La Liga gives the green light that Barca is not breaking FFP rules, the Argentine’s return to his boyhood club could become a reality. One of Messi’s inspirations for his reunion with Barca is Xavi Hernandez, Messi’s team-mate at the club and now coach. Chavi said the other day that he spoke with Messi and that he is optimistic.
