An insight into what Lionel Messi and Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez discussed during the latter’s return to the city recently has been provided.
At the end of January, Lionel Messi would be spotted back in Barcelona despite Argentina being set to play out some World Cup qualifying matches.
However, as was reported at the time, Messi was left out of the Argentina squad to face Chile and Colombia in World Cup qualifying as his country’s place in the tournament later this year is all but secured.
In turn, Messi made the most of his free time by jetting back to Barcelona where he celebrated Xavi’s 42nd birthday alongside former team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
So what was up for discussion between Messi and Xavi? Well, according to the Mirror citing reports from Spain, Messi would give his former teammate some transfer advice.
That advice was reportedly Messi advising Xavi against moving for PSG youngster Xavi Simons, who graduated through the Catalan club’s La Masia youth system and left for PSG in 2019.
Barcelona linked with PSG’s Xavi Simons
Reports from Spain at the beginning of January suggested that Barcelona were looking to re-sign the youngster, with Premier League duo Manchester City and Newcastle United also interested.
Simons, who is out of contract in Paris later this year, was signed by Barcelona back in 2010 as child, but was unable to break into their first team before his contract expired and he departed for Paris.
Since making the switch to PSG, Simon has featured fairly regularly for their under-19 side.
However, he has, so far, made just seven appearances for PSG’s senior team, with only three of those outings coming in Ligue 1.
