Recent reports suggested that 'La Pulga' would return to his beloved club next season, but those claims have been swiftly squashed earlier today.

One of the major doubts in the world of football has to do with Lionel Messi and the possibility of watching him play one more time in a Barcelona jersey. While fans still keep their hopes up, that option was squashed by one of Barcelona's top execs in an interview held today.

Speaking to Catalunya Radio, Barcelona's financial vicepresident Eduard Romeu stepped up to clarify that it would be up to the player to decide if he wants to go back to Camp Nou, mainly because he controls his destiny after the end of this season, when his contract with PSG comes to an end.

While Romeu seemed open to the idea of a comeback, the financial VP for Los Culés ended all hopes for a return next season due to the team's complicated monetary situation.

"If he came back on a free transfer, surely. But if not...well, let's just say we have not contemplated that in our budget," Romeu stated.

The exec went on to state that, even if Barcelona had the money to re-hire Messi, the first one to make that decision would be coach Xavi Hernández.

"Don't get me wrong, this will always be Messi's house, but his signing should come as a request from the team's coach, and that's a place where you will never find me," Romeu added.

Messi, who is out of a contract with PSG next summer, is said to have started negotiations to extend his deal with Les Parisiens. Added to that, the Argentine ace may have to patch up his relationship with president Joan Laporta, who "La Pulga" blamed for his departure back in 2021.