Messi could still join Barcelona despite brother's tirade against Laporta

Lionel Messi seems contended at Paris Saint-Germain, but talks regarding a contract extension have stalled in recent weeks, leading to speculation that a return to Barcelona could be on the cards. 

Aiming to dispel those rumours, Lionel Messi’s brother Matias made some unflattering comments about its current president Joan Laporta. 

Matias had claimed in a video that Messi would not be returning to Barcelona even if he decided to leave PSG, and on the off chance that he did return to Barcelona, it would only be to kick out Laporta from office. 

Clearly upset at the way Messi left Barcelona in the summer of 2021, Matias branded Laporta as ungrateful to Messi and was insistent that the club would be unknown in history but for his brother’s spell with the club. 

Matias quickly recanted his views and has even offered a public apology to Laporta citing his tirade as a mere joke and thanking Barcelona for all they did for his family. 

Laporta used the opportunity of his press conference earlier today to say that all was forgiven and he had no ill feelings towards Lionel Messi or any of his family members. 

When asked whether Matias’ comments would rule out a future return for Messi to Camp Nou, Laporta insisted that all was forgiven, and the most important thing was that Matias had apologised. 

Speaking at the press conference, Laporta said "Leo Messi is “Barca's patrimony and we are proud of it, [he is] the best in the world and in history. Don't make me talk about Messi, he belongs to PSG and I don't want to comment on footballers who are at another club,". 

He added, "I take away all the importance of the thing with his brother and he has apologized. Everything he has said is understandable and I don't think about it anymore.”

Messi is still under contract at PSG, but his current deal runs out in the summer of 2023, and his and PSG’s pussyfooting around agreeeing a new contract means that there could be an opportunity for Messi to team up with old colleagues at Barcelona.