Barcelona legend gives verdict on Messi’s future

Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has added his voice to the debate over Lionel Messi’s future, stating his preference for where the Argentine should spend the last days of his career. 

Ronaldinho and Messi’s friendship dates back to nearly two decades ago when the little Argentine star first started playing for Barcelona. 

The Brazilian maestro famously assisted the first goal of Messi’s career, and the pair have remained friends since. 

Messi also inherited Ronaldinho’s No. 10 jersey when he left Barcelona for AC Milan and has gone on to become the greatest player to wear the jersey. 

Messi, like Ronaldinho, also left Barcelona, and he ended up at Paris Saint-Germain, incidentally also a former club of his Brazilian friend. 

With his contract in France expiring in the summer, a debate has raged on about whether Messi should continue in Paris or return to the Catalan club, and Ronaldinho has given his verdict on the matter. 

Speaking to the Spanish newspaper SPORT, Ronaldinho stated that he would not mind where Messi spent his final days but did say that he was happy to see Messi fulfil his dream of winning the World Cup. 

He said, “I’m friends with Messi, I’m very happy for him. I’m glad to see friends conquering dreams, that makes me happy. 

“For me, Messi is the best [of all time]. I would like to see him happy, I don’t care where he is."

Ronaldinho, however, also acknowledged that it would be nice to see Messi wrap up his career at the club where he started it, saying, “After all the history he has had with Barcelona, it would be nice if he could finish his career there.”

While Messi is still a PSG player and is expected to continue negotiating an extended stay at the club, a return to Barcelona seems increasingly likely with club president Joan Laporta refusing to rule out the possibility.