Lionel Messi trained with his Paris Saint-Germain teammates on Tuesday for the Champions League clash with Benfica even as speculation continued over his future.
Messi made an unceremonious exit from Camp Nou last year after the club fell into financial turmoil. But after the Argentine great moved to Paris, murmurs of a dream return to Barcelona began.
The star forward has been excellent at PSG this season, amassing seven goals and eight assists in just 12 competitive matches.
Simultaneously, there has been talk of a possible match-up with Robert Lewandowski as Messi is out of contract with PSG at the end of the season.
However, Barca manager Xavi said he does not want to add to the speculation.
"With Leo, let's see, but it's not the moment to talk about it right now," he said.
"You know the love I have for him. He is a friend and I will always wish him the best. Barca is his home, but we're not doing him any favours speaking about [his future], either.
"Let's leave him in peace to enjoy his time in Paris and wish him all the best."
Meanwhile, Benfica and PSG will fight for the outright Group H lead on Wednesday as they both have six points.
PSG edged Nice 2-1 on Saturday with goals from Messi and Kylian Mbappe to retain a two-point lead over Marseille in the French league.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid