Messi is out of contract with PSG and could return to the Catalan club for free

Lionel Messi's hypothetical Barcelona return has been on the table for months now with his Paris Saint-Germain contract up at the end of the season.

Barça president Joan Laporta is ready to do everything he can to make it happen because he wants the Argentine to return to the club.

PSG also want to keep Messi and the president Nasser Al Khelaïffi will attempt to tie him down for at least one more year.

The reality of the situation is that Messi won't make a decision until after the World Cup this year. Here are 10 reasons why deciding to return to Barça would be the right decision:

1.- Heal the wound

“Despite reaching an agreement with the intention of signing a new contract, it was not possible to complete the deal due to financial and structural obstacles (LaLiga rules)." That was how Barça explained Messi's exit. After 17 seasons, he was obliged to leave the club despite having agreed to stay. It was a big disappointment. He cried as he left. That cruel goodbye broke his heart. This is a chance to heal the wound.

2.- Form part of friend Xavi's project

Xavi said it in Milan ahead of the Inter game. "I want the best for him, he is my friend. Barça is his home." It is true he did not want to say anything else but the two are in regular contact and no one would like more than Xavi to have the best player ever back at the club. Meanwhile, Messi is aware things are being done well again at Camp Nou.

3.- Fill Montjuïc

Barcelona will play at the Olímpic Lluís Companys stadium in Montjuic next season. It's a move to allow them to update Camp Nou. There is no one like Messi to help them fill the stadium for a season.

4.- Retire at the club of his dreams

Messi can no longer close his career as a one-club man, but it can still have a nice ending at Barça. the club where it all began and he will be forever remembered.

5.- Increase shirt sales

There are more pragmatic reasons and less emotional ones. Messi would also boost shirt sales once again and, among other things, help with commercial deals and sponsorship.

6.- Move back to live in Barna

Messi promised his kids when he left Barça in 2021. "After some years away, we will be back to live here. I have promised the kids that." At the time he was not speaking about returning as a player, but that could now be possible. Barcelona became his family's home and they would love to come back sooner than later.

7.- Open the new Camp Nou

Imagine having Messi on the team when the new Camp Nou opens.

8.- Win another Champions League with Barça

It was 2015 when Messi last won the Champions League. It's one of the thorns in his side. Tryin to win it again with a Barça side on the up would be a welcome challenge and, if achieved, a beautiful finale to his story with the club. For now, he is hopeful of helping PSG win Europe's top crown for the first time.

9.- Oversee the generational change

There is no better person to transfer power to players like Pedri and Gavi than Messi. The Argentine is the perfect symbol to bring an end to the generational change which Barça are undergoing. The work being done at the moment by Busquets and Lewandowski can be completed by Messi.

10.- The goodbye he deserves

A career like Messi's needs the right ending. It's necessary to close a cycle at Camp Nou with the supporters cheering and signing his name. Messi never got the send-off that players like Xavi and Pep Guardiola did. There is still an outstanding debt. Bringing him back would afford him that, which is the least he deserves. Do it!