“No return to Barcelona for Messi” — Laporta

Barcelona president, Joan Laporta has squashed the reports of Inter Miami star, Lionel Messi to Barcelona.

In response to speculations that the Catalan giants could swoop in and take the World Cup winner on a loan deal from the Major League Soccer side, Joan Laporta insists any moves made for the Argentine was in the summer.

According to Laporta, Barcelona had offered Messi a chance to return to the club during the summer which ultimately ended up not happening.

The Barca president goes on to explain that after the former Paris Saint-Germain player had communicated his decision, the club has since chosen to respect his move to Inter Miami.

In a quote traced to Laporta, he said;

“Messi on loan? We offered Messi to return at the beginning of the season… no talks took place now. Leo told us his decision and so we respected him.”

In other related news, Sports journalist, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Barcelona are fasttracking a move to make permanent the deals of Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix at the club from their respective loan deals.

Speaking on the plot, Laporta said;

“If João Cancelo and João Félix continue to play at their same level, we will make an effort to keep them in 2024. Deco will manage it”, Laporta told Catalunya Radio.

“I want top players to stay at Barça, always — and I really like João Félix since long time”, he added.