Highlights:
- Yet another Argentine believes Messi can return to Barca before retiring
- Former Camp Nou star Riquelme has said Messi will win the Champions League with PSG before returning to Barca
- Messi has won 6 Ballon d’Or, more than anybody in the world
There is another iconic Argentine playmaker who believes that his illustrious fellow countryman could retrace steps to Camp Nou before hanging up his boots.
Lionel Messi is being backed to “win the UEFA Champions League with PSG and retire at Barcelona”, with Juan Roman Riquelme now suggesting that a fellow Argentine may not have ended his love affair with La Liga giants.
Messi who is the six-time Ballon d’Or winner (more than anybody has ever won the prestigious award) severed career-long ties with Barca this summer after seeing financial difficulties at Camp Nou making it impossible for him to renew his contract.
Messi, who is an all-time great, is now making a fresh start in France with league leaders PSG, as part of another star-studded squad, and Riquelme can see an illustrious countryman claiming more silverware at Parc des Princes before retracing his steps to Catalunya.
Also Read: The Old Lady Bids Farewell To Ronaldo As The Portuguese Make Manchester United Return
Former Barcelona star Riquelme told ESPN of a mercurial talent that he once played alongside for Argentina: “I hope that Messi goes on to enjoy Paris.
“I don’t know if it’s strange, but we are all excited to see him enjoy playing with [Kylian] Mbappe and Neymar.
“If they don’t win the Champions League now, they won’t win it.”
Riquelme added, “I think Messi will win the Champions League with PSG and retire at Barcelona.”
Messi agreed to the terms with Barca before heading through the exits at Camp Nou, with an emotional farewell bid to the club which made him the superstar once it became apparent that no paperwork could be signed.
PSG smash open their doors to the most sought-after of free agents and quickly put a two-year deal in place for the Argentine.
Messi will only be 36 year old by the time that agreement comes to a close – the same age eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo is now.
The Portuguese icon has made a homecoming of some sorts this summer as he rejoined the fold at Manchester United and it could be that Messi treads a similar path in the future.
There have been a handful of speculation regarding a spell in MLS or a return to Argentina before hanging up his boots, however, Barcelona have cleared smoke a little by saying that there will always be a role for a favourite son on their books if an opportunity to reunite presents itself.