Barcelona: Busquets reacts to reports of sensational Messi return

The Blaugrana captain says he would love to see his former teammate back at Camp Nou but admits a potential move will be difficult.

A move to Paris Saint-Germain saw Lionel Messi leave Barcelona after 21 years last summer. The Argentine icon ended his stay at the Catalan side amid the club’s severe financial issues.

Eight months after the departure, it seems that Barca have dealt better with the new situation than their former captain. The club have returned another club legend, Xavi Hernandez as their new manager, reclaiming their spot among the La Liga front-runners.

Messi, on the other hand, is yet to find his feet at his new club. The 34-year-old has scored seven goals across all competitions, with a mixture of poor form and injury setbacks hampering his start at Parc des Princes.

PSG fans booed Messi and Neymar after the club suffered a disappointing Champions League elimination at the hands of Real Madrid. Since then, reports of Messi’s potential departure from the Ligue 1 giants have intensified, with a return to Barca being among the main possibilities.

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In an interview with RAC1, Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets expressed his desire to see Messi back at Camp Nou.

“Of course I miss him. On the field and off it,” he said. “Nobody else has given us what he gave us. He made a huge difference.

“After so many years, it’s normal to miss him. I’m sure he will miss me too.”

He added: “At first it was difficult [when Messi left]. It was a shock for us too. We are still here, but imagine it for him; changing city, changing team, changing style.

“When you don’t win, you’re not happy. I wish him the best. I would like Leo to come back, but I know it’s very difficult. He has a contract with another team and it’s complicated because of how he left us.

“If Xavi told him that the doors are open, imagine me as his friend and teammate. I would give him the armband. He always has my admiration and respect.”