Sports director Jordi Cruyff firmly expects Lionel Messi to return to “his” FC Barcelona – albeit not in the short term.
“Barca and Messi have to be together one day, that’s for sure. Maybe it will only happen after retirement, but both deserve one last hug, one last dance together,” Cruyff told “RAC1”.
The Argentine superstar turned his back on the Catalans in 2021 after more than two decades and joined Paris Saint-Germain. Since then there has been speculation about a return campaign. However, these were not concrete.
Neither are the rumors of Pep Guardiola re-engaging at the Camp Nou. “There are very few coaches who have reached that level and can decide their own destiny. The ball is in his hands. Will he return to Barca? It will depend on the situation,” said Cruyff.
No winter transfers for FC Barcelona possible
In the short term, the financial situation at La Liga leaders remains tight given billions of dollars in debt. “Right now we couldn’t hit the winter transfer market,” said Cruyff.
It’s “not just about selling a player. It’s more complicated,” said the son of Dutch Barca icon Johan Cruyff.
FC Barcelona: Gerard Piqué’s resignation “no surprise”
In the near future there are tricky personnel decisions for the sporting director of the 26-time Spanish champions.
Jordi Cruyff announced that veteran Sergio Busquets, whose contract is expiring, will receive “special treatment”. “We’ll sit down and see how he feels.”
The sudden resignation of longtime defender Gerard Piqué shortly before the World Cup break continues to disappoint those in charge at Barca. “It wasn’t a surprise, but it wasn’t the plan we had in mind either,” Cruyff said.