Lionel Messi’s future remains unclear after ‘training ground disagreement with Christophe Galtier’

Lionel Messi is keen to return to Barcelona at the end of the season once his contract at PSG runs up, according to reports. 

Messi’s future is one of the most hotly debated subjects in football, with a number of clubs linked with him, including MLS side Inter Miami and boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys in his native Rosario. 

In addition, Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are reportedly preparing a £194million-per-year offer for Messi to join the Saudi Pro-League and come up against his former great rival Cristiano Ronaldo. 

But Barcelona continue to also be linked with their legendary former captain and record goal scorer. 

Footmercato report that the player has regular exchanges with his former team-mate – and current Barcelona manager – Xavi, and that his father has met with club chief Joan Laporta. 

Footmercato claims that Xavi is in regular conversation with his former team-mate at Barca

The 35-year-old also is also believed to have a strained relationship with current PSG boss Christophe Galtier, who has struggled in his first season at the helm in the French capital. 

On Tuesday, Messi reportedly left training early after refusing to participate in an exercise, adding to the increasingly tense relationship. 

The former Lille and St. Etienne boss is thought to have attempted to keep Messi at training with his team-mates, but to no avail. 

Following the World Cup in Qatar, Messi had appeared close to extending his stay at PSG, but despite verbal agreements reportedly being agreed he now looks set to depart the club after no deal has presented itself.

It has not been an easy season for PSG, a side that in the past decade have regularly waltzed to the Ligue 1 title with little difficulty. 

Recent good form with four wins in five has papered over the cracks that were beginning to appear after Galtier’s side had managed only five wins in 2023 and five defeats, crashing out of the…