A surprise report has detailed how Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi is being strongly urged by his family to return to Barcelona at the end of the season.
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According to El Nacional, as cited by the Daily Mirror, the Argentine's wife Antonela Roccuzzo has told him that she would prefer to return to the city of Barcelona after struggling to adapt to life in Paris.
It is suggested that the 34-year-old's slow start to life at PSG has been compounded by his loved ones having battled to settle in France due to the weather conditions and the language barrier.
Messi joined the Ligue 1 giants in August last year after the Catalan side made it clear they would not be able to renew his contract, despite president Joan Laporta's long insistence that his deal would be extended.
Click through the gallery below to see some images of Messi's family home in Barcelona:
The conclusion was reached after Barcelona's chief decided against accepting a deal with LaLiga that would have seen the club gather enough funds to match Messi's salary demands.
While there was excitement and anticipation following his arrival in France, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has suffered several injuries that have made it difficult for him to find any momentum.
Messi also recently fell ill after contracting COVID-19, which has seen him miss PSG's past three matches in all competitions.
His long-time partner is now reportedly pushing him to make a sensational return to Barcelona, with the report claiming that Blaugrana head coach Xavi Hernandez and veteran right-back Dani Alves are also aiming to persuade Messi to make the move.
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It appears unlikely, however, as it is believed that the forward's father and agent, Jorge Messi, feels wronged by Laporta, who has since managed to sign Ferran Torres from Manchester City in a deal worth €55 million (R969 million).
