Real Madrid legend Guti says that Lionel Messi should not return to Barcelona this summer because he has nothing left to achieve at Camp Nou.
The Spaniard is also of the belief that Messi will not lead Barcelona to Champions League glory if he opts to re-join the club from Paris Saint-Germain.
90min has long reported on Barcelona’s desire to bring Messi back to Spain after a two-year stint away, and revealed on Wednesday that the 35-year-old is focused on returning to the club he previously served for 21 years.
Messi is certain to leave PSG this summer after failing to lead the Ligue 1 giants to Champions League glory, and is currently suspended by the club after heading to Saudi Arabia on an unsanctioned trip as part of a contract with the country’s tourist office.
He has since apologised for skipping training at PSG – the players were called in on their usual day off after losing 3-1 at home to Lorient – but will miss the upcoming games with Troyes and Ajaccio.
Messi returned to Barcelona recently for a short vacation with his family, fuelling rumours that his return to Catalonia is edging ever closer. But returning to his old stomping ground would be a mistake in the eyes of former Real Madrid midfielder Guti – who played 542 games for the club in a decorated 15-year career at the Bernabeu.
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“If I were Messi, I wouldn’t go back to Barcelona,” Guti sat down to tell El Chiringuito. “He already achieved everything there. It’s too big of a challenge at this moment. Now, with or without him, Barca won’t win the Champions League.”
Barcelona were eliminated from this season’s Champions League at the group stage – the second successive season they’ve failed to make the knockout rounds – and were then eliminated from the Europa League by Manchester United.
They will, however, be back in next season’s competition, having romped away from Real in the race for La Liga. Xavi’s side have a whopping 13-point lead with just five games of the season remaining, and can win the title for the 27th time at neighbourhood rivals Espanyol with another three points.
Messi’s potential return is part of a bigger picture though, with president Joan Laporta wanting to reestablish Barcelona’s position as one of European football’s dominant forces.
