Lionel Messi will return to Barcelona next summer after making 'peace' with the club's president following his dramatic exit two years ago. 

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner joined PSG after Barca released a statement saying he would be leaving due to financial restrictions placed upon them by LaLiga.

However, Messi - who joined PSG in 2021- will reportedly return to Barcelona when his contract in the French capital expires next summer. 

Lionel Messi will reportedly return to Barcelona next summer after his PSG contract expires  

According to Argentine reporter https://twitter.com/verobrunati/status/1577307082184876033?s=20&t=grAXmOIwW5o0avveHpLQKA, Messi will return to Barcelona on July 1, 2023 after just two years at Paris Saint-Germain. 

It is believed Messi will return to the club after 'making peace' with Barcelona president Joan Laporta - who was at the centre of the controversy two years ago.

Messi became a free agent in 2021 after his contract with Barca expired. However, he was set to re-sign with the club following positive initial talks between all parties. 

However, Barca dropped a bombshell statement confirming Messi would be leaving due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish LaLiga regulations).

The statement read: 'Despite having reached an agreement between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi and with the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, it cannot be formalized due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish LaLiga regulations). 

'Given this situation, Lionel Messi will not continue linked to FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of both the player and the Club cannot finally be fulfilled. 

'Barca would like to thank with all its heart the player's contribution to the enhancement of the institution and wishes him the best in his personal and professional life.' 

Messi was said to be shocked by the announcement as he had agreed to take a 50 per cent pay deduction from his previous deal - which was worth in excess of £425million over four years - in order to stay at the club. 

This would have meant that Messi's earnings would have been slashed by £250,000 every week on the proposed new five-year contract. However, he agreed. 

Messi - who was heart broken by the news of his departure - had been heavily linked with both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain as a result. 

PSG seemed like the more likely destination as Messi had met up with his former team-mate and close friend Neymar just days before Barcelona released their statement. 

Neymar - who left Barca for PSG in 2017 - had spoken publicly about wanting to reunite with the Argentine again one day.

Neymar got his wish. Messi signed a two-year deal worth a staggering £35million a season with the Ligue 1 giants. 

Messi endured a difficult start to his time at PSG. He had been linked with a return to Barcelona pretty soon after his debut in France. 

He only managed to score six goals in his first 27 domestic games for the French side. 

He also failed to win over the fans, who booed him in matches after PSG's Champions League collapse to Real Madrid in the Round of 16.

As a result, Messi's former team-mate Dani Alves even called on him to return to the club after he made his own comeback at the Nou Camp. 

However, Messi is now thriving in the French top-flight. He has scored seven goals in his last five matches. Messi has also performed well on the international stage with Argentina. 

He scored a brace for Lionel Scaloni's side against Honduras and went on bag himself a double against Jamaica.

However, Messi is still interested in returning to Barcelona next season - according to reports. Messi and his family have always loved Barcelona and spoken about a return one day. 

Messi made his debut for the Barcelona senior team in 2004 at just 16 years old and featured 778 times, emerging as a key player. 

He went on to become Barca's record scorer with 672 goals including 120 Champions League goals and a record 474 LaLiga goals. 

However, Xavi has called for calm when asked about Messi's return to Barcelona. He said: 'With Leo, let's see, but it's not the moment to talk about it right now. You know the love I have for him. 

'He is a friend and I will always wish him the best. Barca is his home, but we're not doing him any favours speaking about [his future], either. Let's leave him in peace to enjoy his time in Paris and wish him all the best.'