BARCELONA boss Xavi has provided perhaps the biggest hint yet that Lionel Messi could return to Barcelona.
The Argentine World Cup winner and Paris St Germain star has been heavily linked with a return to the Camp Nou in the summer.
Messi, who has scored 16 goals this season and added 14 assists, will be out of contract in the summer.
And now former team-mate and current Barca boss Xavi has hinted at Messi's return, revealing the pair are in "permanent contact."
Asked about the possibility of a transfer for the 35-year-old, Xavi said: "Messi knows that Barcelona is his home and the doors are open, I said this many times.
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"He’s my friend — we are in permanent contact, a potential return will only depend on him. Leo is the best player in history, he’d always fit in."
Reports have indicated Messi has an extension offer on the table from PSG, while clubs in Saudi Arabia and Inter Miami are also keen on him.
Barcelona want Messi back at the club after he left on a free transfer in 2021 - owing to the club being unable to re-sign him due to La Liga wage rules.
Xavi played alongside the forward from 2004 until he left the club in 2015.
Messi scored a stunning free-kick in a 4-3 dramatic victory against Lille last weekend.
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However, before Barcelona try to sign him they face Manchester United in the second leg of their Europa League play-off.
The first leg ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
But while Erik ten Hag's side have been handed a number of injury boosts for the Old Trafford clash, Xavi has been hit with the opposite.
He has been left sweating over the fitness of Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski, while Pedri is injured and Gavi is suspended.
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Barcelona have lost just once to Man Utd, albeit with that one defeat coming at Old Trafford when Paul Scholes belted in a long-range winner in 2008.
