PSG star Lionel Messi returns to Barcelona with family and is greeted by adoring fans at airport
Posted Thursday, June 16, 2022 by Thesun.co.uk
LIONEL MESSI was mobbed by supporters as he returned to Barcelona for his summer holidays.
Video footage showed the Paris Saint-Germain star being warmly greeted in the Catalan capital as he touched down with his family on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi and his family were warmly greeted by fans as they arrived in BarcelonaCredit: @forcabarca_ar
The Nou Camp legend posted for pictures and signed autographsCredit: @forcabarca_ar
Messi, 34, is a city legend after playing 778 times for Barcelona - scoring 672 times in the process.
And adoring fans begged their idol to sign jerseys and pose for pictures at the entrance to the airport.
Ever the humble superstar, Messi duly obliged by greeting supporters before penning his autograph on numerous items.
At the same time, wife Antonella could be seen guiding their three children Mateo, Thiago and Ciro to a vehicle off camera.
The relaxed quartet did not appear to mind waiting for Messi to do the rounds with his loyal fanbase.
And the Argentina star was sure to have been delighted by the welcome after finishing his international commitments in South America.
Messi will now get the chance to put his feet up and relax at his Barcelona home for several weeks.
He had resided permanently in the city since 2000 before last summer's shock switch to PSG.
But Messi still owns a luxury property in Barcelona, and is likely to catch up with old acquaintances as he unwinds before returning to France.
Messi won ten LaLiga titles, four Champions Leagues and seven Ballon d'Ors during his glorious time at Barca.
But financial issues saw the club fail to renew his contract at the very last second in July 2021.
It opened the path for a free transfer to PSG, where Messi now plays alongside former teammate Neymar and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe.
Messi's first season in France didn't go entirely to plan, with the ace netting just six league goals - his lowest return since making his Barca debut in the 04/05 campaign.
Changes have since been made, with sporting director Leonardo leaving and boss Mauricio Pochettino also on his way.
The likes of Zinedine Zidane and Max Allegri are now being tipped to take charge at the Parc des Princes.
But whoever the next manager is, they will certainly have to find a way to get the very best out of Messi.
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