Former Argentina international Sergio Aguero has offered his view of Lionel Messi’s potential return to Barcelona at the end of the season.
The chairman of the Kings League, established by his ex-Barca teammate Gerard Pique towards the end of 2022, is adamant the godfather of his son Benjamin should retire at Spotify Camp Nou.
Aguero has urged the Blaugrana president Joan Laporta to ‘make an effort’ to bring Messi back to La Liga amid his uncertain future at Paris Saint-Germain.
“My feeling is that there is a 50% chance that Leo Messi will return at Barca,” he said, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano.
“I think that Leo should retire at Barca. Barcelona is his home – he has to finish his career here.
“Laporta has to make an effort to bring back Leo.”
Despite never playing together at club level, Messi and Aguero had shared the pitch at the Argentina national team for over a decade, developing a close friendship.
The pair came close to reuniting at Barcelona in 2021 when Manchester City’s all-time top goalscorer left the Etihad Stadium to link up with La Pulga at Camp Nou.
Unfortunately for Aguero, the Catalan powerhouse’s financial turmoil ruined his plan as they had to cut Messi loose that summer amid accusations of violating Financial Fair Play regulations.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner left his boyhood club to join PSG, but fast forward two years, and he could be on the brink of leaving the Parc des Princes after a couple of underwhelming seasons.
Messi’s contract in Paris expires in a few months. And with Les Parisiens’ inability to challenge for the Champions League trophy, the Argentina captain could soon be on the move again.
Despite recent reports linking him with a lucrative switch to the Saudi Pro League to reignite his rivalry with arch-nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo, the 35-year-old could still return to Camp Nou.
As Barcelona fans’ favourite and one of the club’s most legendary players, hanging up his boots in Catalunya seems like the only fitting way to call time on what’s been a unique playing career.
It’s too bad Aguero won’t be there to welcome him back should the return go through, as the former Man City icon had to retire prematurely after being diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia.
