LaLiga won't change rules to allow Lionel Messi's Barcelona return

Javier Tebas said LaLiga won't change their financial fair play rules to allow Barcelona to sign Lionel Messi but did open the door to the forward returning to the Catalan club.

The LaLiga president has previously said it will be «practically impossible» for Barca to make any signings this summer because they will be in excess of their league-imposed spending limit after this season.

— Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Tebas warned Barca as recently as March that they must either cut from the wage bill or raise in transfer fees as much as €200 million to even consider being able to bring in new players.

However, although he won't change the regulations, he did change his tone slightly on Wednesday as he claimed Barca have the «capacity» to make the necessary savings to be able to afford Messi.

«As of today, no, but there is a lot of time left,» Tebas said in a news conference when asked whether Barca could re-sign Messi. «We are waiting for their [financial fair play] viability plan [for next season].

»I hope they can make the necessary moves to make space for Messi to come in, but of course we are not going to change any rules for Messi to sign. Barca can make moves; they sell players.

«That's what we hope happens because I am a fan of Messi and I would like Messi to play in our league. But we won't change any rules. It is complicated, but I think they have the capacity to do it.»

Messi, 35, is out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season and has not yet agreed an extension with the Ligue 1 club, which he joined from Barca in 2021.

There is also interest in the Argentina international from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, while Inter Miami CF have also positioned themselves in the race