La Liga president on Gavi registration, Messi return rumours: “I want them at Barcelona”

Speaking at a public event, La Liga president Javier Tebas has spoken out about the contract registration of Gavi at Barcelona as well as the rumours of Lionel Messi’s possible return to Camp Nou.

Gavi was registered as a first-team player by Barcelona with his new contract in January after receiving a precautionary measure from a court.

However, La Liga appealed against the verdict and the decision was recently overturned.

La Liga has since stated that Gavi’s registration is not yet reversed and that he can continue wearing the No. 6 jersey until a concrete decision arrives from the court.

But steps need to be taken on the club’s part to reduce their wage bill so that the youngster does not become a free agent in the summer, given that his previous contract stood to expire in 2023.

And, Tebas has now commented on the matter, stating that he likes Gavi and wants him at Barcelona, but as things stand, his registration cannot be ratified because of the club’s bloated wage budget breaching Financial Fair Play limits.

“I like Gavi. We all want him to stay at Barça. But he has a salary that cannot be registered as of now, as Barça exceeds the salary limit,” he said (h/t Victor Navarro).

During the same interview, Tebas was also asked about whether Messi’s return to Barcelona in the summer would be feasible amid reports circulating that a comeback could be on the cards.

The La Liga supremo went on to say that he would love to see Messi back at Barça, stating that it would be good for all parties to have the ‘greatest player of all time’ back in La Liga.

“I would like Messi to come back. I want him to be at Barça. I hope we can rebuild the Barça-Messi brand. It would be very good for La Liga. He is the best player in the history of football,” he said (h/t Helena Condis).

But in the end, a return would be dictated by the Financial Fair Play margin, as well as whether Barcelona can offer a contract that is deemed satisfactory by the Argentine.