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Has Messi's image been tarnished after contract leaks? (2:13)

After details of Lionel Messi's requests to Barcelona were leaked, are fans going to judge him? There is a time and a place for it.

9:23 AM ET

Lionel Messi could return to Barcelona as a player next summer, according to the vice president.

Messi will be out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season and could potentially return to Barcelona on a free transfer.

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The Argentina forward left Barcelona for France in 2021 because they couldn't afford to extend his contract.

Romeu said that Messi would be a free agent if he came back.

The coaching staff and the player have to make the decision. It would be viable if I made those decisions.

Joan Laporta opened the door to a Messi return in the summer when he said that the forward's chapter at the club is not over.

It was Laporta who was forced to say goodbye to the club just over a year ago, and he considers it his responsibility to make sure Messi has a better ending.

The coach tried to downplay the chances of a reunion with his former teammate in July, but said "we will see in the future" when speaking on the club's tour of the US.

Lionel Messi left Barcelona and joined PSG on a free transfer in 2021. Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

According to sources close to Messi, he is focused on the upcoming World Cup with Argentina and on having a good season with Paris Saint-Germain.

Since Messi left, the panorama has changed a lot. In the summer, they were able to invest in Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde thanks to the asset sales.

Romeu says that while they were able to sign players like Lewandowski and Messi, they are still not completely healthy financially.

The vice president said that the club is not financially healthy yet.

There is still a lot of work to be done. Within five years, I think that Barcelona will be healthy. We are going to be at the level we should be in the'24 25 season.