Sergi Roberto, a midfielder for Barcelona, has expressed his displeasure with the way Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has treated Lionel Messi. Roberto has stated that Messi would be welcomed back to Camp Nou with open arms. Messi’s contract with PSG expires at the end of the season, and there have been rumors of a possible return to Barcelona. However, La Liga has informed Barcelona that they cannot sign new players until they cut their wage bill.
Messi has been linked with a move away from PSG following their elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich earlier this month. Last year, PSG’s supporters booed Messi at the Parc des Princes after they were knocked out of the Champions League last 16. Messi endured a similar experience on Sunday as his name was jeered by PSG fans when it was read out by the stadium announcer before their 2-0 defeat at home to Rennes.
When asked about the possibility of Messi returning to Camp Nou after their 2-1 win over Real Madrid on Sunday evening, Roberto told Jijantes FC: “With open arms, who wouldn’t be ready for Messi’s return? In the end, we don’t want to talk too much because it’s up to him, the president, the coach, or whoever, but if it’s up to the players, we’re already waiting for him.”
Roberto also spoke about the treatment Messi has received from PSG’s supporters, saying: “You can’t understand why, he is having good seasons in Paris, scoring a lot of goals, assisting. They’ve taken it out on him because of the elimination [from the Champions League], but he’s a spectacular player and it’s very bad that a player of this level is treated in this way. We’re going to treat him very well here if he comes.”
It remains to be seen whether Messi will return to Barcelona or stay with PSG. However, Roberto’s comments show that there is still a lot of love for Messi at Camp Nou and that he would be welcomed back with open arms.