"I hope Messi can retire and be happy at Barca"

The former Barcelona player, Javier Saviola, expressed on Friday his desire for Lionel Messi to retire from professional football at the club, where they are still "waiting" on the decision he may make after learning of his departure from PSG.

"We are all expectant, I think we are all in the same way, waiting to see what decision he makes," he said in statements to 'EFE' during a visit to a Santo Domingo neighborhood as part of a solidarity initiative of the club's foundation together with the NGO 'Save the Children'.

Barcelona's coach, Xavi Hernandez, wants to bring him back to the club: "He has already spoken of his desire for Leo to return. People are going crazy because Leo could return to the club where he was born, but well, there are other things that escape us," Saviola stated, referring to his possible signing with Saudi club Al Hilal.

"He is personally evaluating it and hopefully yes, Barca is the club where he can retire and be happy," continued Saviola, who is currently the assistant coach at Barca's youth team. Saviola's wish for his teammate and compatriot is that he can say goodbye to professional sport "in the best way, as one has to say goodbye to the best player of all time."

"Honestly, I don't know what his future will be, the only thing I wish is that the next team he can play for, that he is very happy, that he enjoys his last years," he said.

Saviola is in the Dominican Republic following up on the 'Education and Protection through Sports: Playing for Inclusion' project, which aims to benefit more than 1,600 children in vulnerable situations in the Capotillo neighborhood in Santo Domingo.

 

June 3, 2023