Barcelona news: Lionel Messi has been warned Xavi won't want him back (Image: GETTY)
Lionel Messi has been warned Barcelona boss Xavi would not want him back at the club. Messi is linked with a return to the Nou Camp next summer but former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson has thrown cold water on the idea.
Earlier this week, it was claimed the Paris Saint-Germain star would be returning to Barca. Argentinian journalist Veronica Brunati claimed Messi would make the move back to the Nou Camp once his PSG contract expires at the end of the season.
Messi joined PSG on a free transfer in 2021 after Barca were financially unable to renew his contract. He had a difficult first season in Paris, scoring just 11 goals in all competitions.
He has hit a better vein of form this season in front of goal, already netting on seven occasions. But pundit Robson does not think he is the type of player Xavi would want in his side.
Robson claims Xavi would have to change the dynamic of his team if Messi were to return, even at the age of 36. Despite being close friends, Robson thinks Xavi would attempt to block the transfer.
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He told ESPN FC: "It's a difficult one. He'd be another year older, he's a different kind of player now, he's not going to run past people and score magnificent players by beating three or four players.
"He's a brilliant passer of the ball. Would it change the way Xavi is trying to build the side? I think it probably would.
"He's trying to promote those youngsters, he's trying to promote wide players with a bit of pace, he's got Lewandowski there. Of course Messi would make them slightly a better team but would he change the whole dynamic of the team?
"And Xavi probably wouldn't want that. So in my view, I wouldn't take him back."
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Barcelona news: Lionel Messi and Xavi were team-mates at Barca (Image: GETTY)