Messi Causes Stir In Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has caused a major stir in Barcelona amid rumours he could return to the Catalan club, although the reason for his visit seems to have been revealed.

On Monday, the 34-year-old was spotted in the city of Barcelona after being left out of Argentina's squad to play Chile and Colombia on 28 January and 2 February, respectively.

Messi was seen leaving a restaurant by journalists, who followed him around with cameras and microphones and asked him questions about his future after rumours arose suggesting that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner could be gearing up for a PSG exit. It was recently reported that the Argentine was being pressured by his family to return to Barca, although it was later claimed he will honour his Les Parisiens contract, which is set to expire in 2023.

According to the Daily Star, Messi had flown to Spain to celebrate Xavi Hernandez's 42nd birthday along with his former Blaugrana colleagues Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

The forward only recently returned to action for the French giants, in PSG's 4-0 Ligue 1 win over Stade Reims, after he contracted COVID-19 while on holiday in his native Argentina.