I hope to play with Lionel Messi next season at Barca: Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski (left) said he would love Lionel Messi to return to Barcelona. PHOTOS: REUTERS, EPA-EFE

BARCELONA – Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski would love Lionel Messi to return to the Catalan club from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, he said on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old Argentinian talisman left Barca in 2021 when the club could not afford to renew his contract and his PSG deal expires in June.

Amid whistles from PSG supporters who see Messi as a symbol of the club’s mistakes in chasing star signings instead of building a competitive team, Barcelona are openly courting the forward.

“Messi belongs to Barca and, if he returns, it would be something incredible,” said Lewandowski. “We know that his place is here, in Barcelona... I hope that, next season, we can play together.”

Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory last December, is Barca’s all-time top scorer and many consider him the best player in the history of football.

He scored a record 672 goals in 778 matches for Barca, winning 35 trophies, after joining the club at 13 years old and developing at their feted La Masia youth academy.

Barca vice-president Rafael Yuste recently admitted that he has been “in contact” with Messi, saying: “I would love it if he returned.”

Barcelona fans have chanted Messi’s name in the 10th minute – representing his former Barca shirt number – in their last two matches, including a 0-0 draw against Girona on Monday in La Liga.

“Leo generates excitement, they have chanted his name in two games now, we’ll see what happens,” said Barca coach Xavi Hernandez after the derby clash.

Meanwhile, PSG supporters were reportedly unhappy at the malaise around the team since they were eliminated from the Champions League in the last 16 by Bayern Munich in March.

“The fans have changed things completely,” a source said, of the chances of Messi’s PSG deal being renewed.

Lewandowski, top scorer in La Liga, could not find the net for the league leaders against Girona. Speaking at a charity event, he said he had been carrying an injury.

“I took a blow from (Real Madrid defender Eder) Militao in the game against Madrid and I could not walk,” added the 34-year-old Polish striker, referring to Barca’s 4-0 thrashing by Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey last week. “On the pitch, I have to play better but that knock from Militao left my body in a bad way.” AFP

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