Ex-Barcelona boss Koeman urges his former club for Messi return to Barca
The former Barcelona boss and one of its Legendary Players Ronald Koeman has welcomed the idea of Lionel Messi making a return to Barcelona and believes the Argentina star is still the best player in the world during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Ronald Koeman has been sacked as head coach of Barcelona after 14 months in charge from 2020 to 2021, as he failed to have an impact in the Spanish League and the European Champions League during the Catalan transitional period. Koeman leaves after with a record of 39 wins, 12 draws and 16 losses in his 67 games as manager. Koeman won the 2021 Copa del Rey and finished third in La Liga last season, and Barça were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Round of 16. The Dutchman was fired in October 2021 and replaced by current coach Xavi Hernandez. Lionel Messi, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is reportedly unhappy at PSG, while reports claim that both Barcelona and Lionel Messi are open to a transfer this summer, as the Argentine refusing to extend his two-year contract with PSG. Koeman said in statements published by Diario AS, the Spanish daily sports newspaper that concentrates particularly on football. "Messi is the best player in the world. The one who can have him will be stronger. I lived closely to his departure from Barça and it was a very bad day. I'm surprised to see him with yet another shirt." "Barça is his home, where he has to be. It was not good that the board did not let him continue. I don't know what Leo thinks and how the issue is. And if it is possible because I know that Barça has its problems. It was a shame he left, but he has to be here." Lionel Messi left the Blaugrana for PSG ahead of the 2021-22 season due to the club's financial issues. He plied his trade for 17 seasons at the Nou Camp, scoring 672 goals in just 778 appearances. The Argentine also won every trophy on offer with the Blaugrana, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.
