Marcel Desailly believes Lionel Messi will be a hero should he rescind his decision to part company with Barcelona.

“He could be the hero [if a U-turn is made for Messi to return to Barcelona]," he told Joy Sports.

Barcelona announced last week Messi will leave the club due to financial regulations by La Liga.

The club said "Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations).

"As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled," the statement added.

Under La Liga rules that were introduced in 2013, there is a floating salary cap for all teams which limits player wages and acquisition costs to 70 per cent of club revenues.

To meet that requirement after a drastic reduction in revenues due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, FC Barcelona entered this summer offseason needing to shed well over $200 million in salaries to keep Messi. 

The media have suggested Messi accepted annual wages cut from €71 million to €60 million, but that was still not enough to keep the club's most prized asset.

Desailly reckons a deal in the region of €10 to €15 million annually, could make the six times Balon D'or winner a god.

[You know], instead of having a deal of 60m per year over two seasons but paid over five seasons then he could take a strong cut on his salary to take a 10-15m yearly spread in 10 years; he could allow the club to sign him again.” 

Paris Saint-Germain appears likely to be Messi's next destination. Reports on Saturday suggested a two-year contract has been agreed between the two parties.

Desailly, a former Ligue 1 star with Nantes and Marseille, thinks that securing the services of Messi will boost the French top-most competition.

“I will be very pleased to see Messi at the Parisian club next season to bring his expertise, his fame and raise the business side of the sport. 

"Messi brings sponsors, brings attention and others over the league he is going to play in,” the ex-Marseille defender noted.

Messi won 35 trophies during his stay at Camp Nou.