Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that the club "would very much love" Lionel Messi to return to Camp Nou, but a deal for the attacker is "very difficult".
The 35-year-old has just helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup, with the forward starring at the competition, scoring seven goals and registering three assists in seven appearances.
Messi was also in strong form for Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the tournament, scoring 12 goals and registering 14 assists in 19 appearances in all competitions.
There is currently uncertainty surrounding the forward's future at club level, as his contract is due to expire next June.
Barcelona are keen to re-sign the South American on a free transfer, while Inter Miami are also said to be determined to bring the attacker to the MLS.
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However, a recent report claimed that Messi had now come to a verbal agreement with PSG over a new contract.
Laporta remains hopeful that the forward will return to Camp Nou, but the Barcelona president has admitted that a deal would be "very difficult" for a number of reasons.
"On the subject of Messi, we can't generate expectations. Messi is a PSG player and has a contract with them. He has won the World Cup and the Cules have been very happy," Laporta told BarcaTV.
"What I don't want to do is generate expectations that at the moment are very difficult.
"For us he is the best player of all time, we have had him here and I am convinced that in his heart he is a Cule and will always be linked to Barca.
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"Whether or not he comes back as a player, at the moment he is at PSG and we would very much love him to come back one day, but we'll see."
Messi left Camp Nou in the summer of 2021 after Barcelona were unable to renew his contract due to their financial problems, and his exit caused shockwaves around the world of football.
The Argentine scored 672 goals and registered 302 assists in 777 appearances for the Catalan side in all competitions, winning 10 La Liga trophies, seven Copa del Rey titles and four Champions Leagues.
Messi is said to be looking to spend at least one more season in European football before a move to the MLS.
Since arriving at PSG on a free transfer, the forward has represented the club on 53 occasions in all competitions, scoring 23 goals and registering 29 assists in the process.
Matt Law
