Xavi said he would be open to the possibility of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona, though admitted that a deal is currently “impossible”, Eurosport reports.
Messi ended a 21-year association with Barcelona last summer, departing on a free transfer to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain after financial difficulties left Barcelona unable to renew his contract.
The Argentine endured an injury-disrupted first campaign at PSG scoring just eleven times in all competitions; his worst return since the 2005-06 season.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta suggested recently that he was keen for Messi to return to Barcelona for a “more beautiful ending” to his career.
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And while seemingly dismissing any immediate prospect of the Argentina captain returning to the club, Xavi did not rule out a potential reunion with his former team-mate.
“At the moment, signing Leo Messi is impossible. He has a contract with Paris [Saint-Germain].
“We will see in the future. It’s not the time to talk about him.”
Messi signed a two-year deal when joining PSG last summer, with the possibility of a further year’s extension.
Laporta nonetheless fuelled speculation that the 35-year-old’s Barcelona career had not reached a full stop when he suggested it was his “responsibility” to make amends for a shock, unplanned departure from the club.
“Messi was everything,” Laporta said to ESPN.
“To Barca, he’s been possibly its greatest player, the most efficient. To me he’s only comparable to Johan Cruyff. But it had to happen one day. We had to make a decision as a consequence of what we inherited. The institution is in charge of players, coaches.
“I would hope that the Messi chapter isn’t over. I think it’s our responsibility to try to… find a moment to fix that chapter, which is still open and hasn’t closed, so it turns out like it should have, and that it has a more beautiful ending.”
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