Audio By Carbonatix
Barcelona president Joan Laporta says the club is Messi's "home" as they look to re-sign the forward this summer.
The Argentine's contract at Paris St-Germain expires in June, with reports linking him to Saudi Arabia.
But in an interview with Spanish broadcaster TV3, Laporta said Barcelona can compete with anyone for the 35-year-old's signature.
"History backs us, the feelings are too strong, we have 400 million fans around the world too," he said.
Messi left the Catalan giants two years ago after 21 years at the club but has struggled during his two seasons in France, with fans booing him after their 5-0 win over Ajaccio at the weekend.
Laporta said there had been an "affectionate conversation" between the two and that he congratulated Messi on winning the World Cup in Qatar last year.
"He is a Paris St-Germain player and we have to wait until the end of the season, until it is over, and then we can talk more calmly about this," Laporta added.
"With all due respect to Saudi Arabia, Barca is Barca, and it is home."
The comments come after Barcelona won their first La Liga title in four years with a 4-2 win over Espanyol on Sunday.
Laporta appeared to be more reserved than during a late night Twitch stream after the win, on which he is reported to have said the club would do "everything possible" to sign Messi.
Latest Stories
-
Luv Fm High School Debate: KNUST SHS and Osei Adutwum SHS set up thrilling final after dramatic semi-finals
4 minutes -
KNUST AI Coordinator urges structured adoption of AI in teacher education
18 minutes -
Nepal rescuers blast hillside in search of hydropower workers as families wait anxiously
35 minutes -
Teachers who pass promotional exam to get January 2026 start date after gov’t resolves promotion dispute – Apaak
37 minutes -
NSMQ 2026: St. John’s School rally from slow start to book semi-final spot
37 minutes -
Promotion pay row: Gov’t gives teachers September to complete salary adjustments
49 minutes -
Financial irregularities plummet by 62.9% as state tightens fiscal controls
49 minutes -
DVLA to expand mobile services to underserved communities in Ghana’s Eastern Corridor of the Northern Region
1 hour -
GUTA urges GPHA to act swiftly to end Tema Port congestion to avert rising business costs
1 hour -
Port congestion could undermine 24-hour economy policy – GUTA
1 hour -
NSA opens three-day window to resolve national service biodata mismatches
1 hour -
Abu Jinapor highlights increased gold exports after Domestic Gold Purchase Programme
1 hour -
NPP UK branch calls for independent audit into gold purchasing operations and parliamentary probe
2 hours -
Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings pledges decisive action on climate change, galamsey and environmental degradation
2 hours -
Bawumia was brainchild behind Domestic Gold Purchase Programme – Samuel Jinapor
2 hours