Lionel Messi Makes Surprise Return to Barcelona Months After He Quit Camp Nou

• Lionel Messi headed back to Barcelona on Monday, January 23, to attend Xavi's 42nd birthday
• Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets were among the Barca legends who joined Messi at the party
• Messi used the opportunity to sign Barcelona shirts as fans pulled up at the birthday's venue to catch a glimpse of the Argentine ace

Lionel Messi made a surprise return to Barcelona on Monday night, January 24, where he linked up with his former teammates to celebrate Xavi's 42nd birthday.

The record Ballon d'Or winner headed back to Barcelona months after his shock exit to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi departed Camp Nou in the summer after more than two decades with the Catalan giants to seal a stunning switch to Parc des Princes.

However, the 34-year-old reconnected with his old base earlier in the week to join ex-teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to mark Xavi's 42nd birthday.

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Messi was left out of the Argentina squad for the World Cup qualifiers and resolved to make the most of his free time by flying back to Barcelona for Xavi's special day.

Daily Mail reports the forward and co popped into a Japanese restaurant in the city where they caught up.

However, word soon spread the Barca icon was in town, with a number of supporters turning up at the facility to greet him.

The PSG ace is understood to have stopped to sign shirts of his old club for the fans.

Meanwhile, the forward will be hoping to be back in PSG's starting XI after the international break having made a substitute appearance against Reims on Sunday, January 23.

He was brought on in the 63rd minute of the fixture, replacing fellow Argentina teammate Angel Di Maria.

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Bayern Munich are in the market in search of a new centre-back ahead of Niklas Sule's imminent departure.

Sule, who is in the final months of his Bayern deal is said to have turned down a new contract offer from the club.