Dani Alves has opened the door Lionel Messi’s return to Barcelona, less than a year after he joined Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentine’s decision to swap Barca for the French club sent shockwaves through football, with many assuming that his arrival would ensure PSG became unbeatable. But their European campaign ended in familiar ignominy.
PSG were knocked out of the Champions League last week, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Real Madrid, despite holding a two-goal lead going into the closing stages.
The fall-out from the defeat is likely to see Mauricio Pochettino lose his position as manager, while a raft of departures could yet be sanctioned. Messi signed a two-year deal at PSG, but it hasn’t gone to plan and he was booed by his own fans last week.
During the home win over Bordeaux, Messi and Neymar, were jeered by the home crowd, with the latter even booed after his goal. While the Argentine star cut an understandably frustrated figure, leading to speculation he could cut his time in France short.
The 34-year-old’s father & agent Jorge Messi has reportedly made contact with Barca to gauge whether there would be any mutual interest in bringing him back. Messi left the club as their record appearance holder and goalscorer, but was unable to sign a new deal due to La Liga’s economic regulations.
But Alves, who has played alongside Messi 349 times during their time at the Camp Nou has revealed the player isn’t enjoying himself with his current side.
“For me, no, he is not enjoying himself at PSG, because Leo makes this game special, and he does it when he is having a good time, because when he is having a good time, the others enjoy it,” Alves told ESPN.
“For me it is out of place, right now Leo is out of place there. Because Leo for me lived in the best place in the world to practice what he loves.”
“Leo always told me, ‘where are you going to be better than here?’ I checked, there is no better place than here. Even when it came out that he was leaving, I sent him the same message that he told me,” the Brazilian added.
“For whatever reason he is not here and I hope he can come back. I don’t know, but if he comes, let him come here with me, to enjoy at least a little more of all that.
“All the people who leave here regret it, everyone. Some will say no, because they don’t like to lose, but all the people who leave regret it, because it’s better here than anywhere.”
