Why Gerard Pique Fears Lionel Messi Will Not Return to Barcelona

• Gerard Pique has issued a warning to Barcelona in their bid to re-sign Lionel Messi this summer
• Barca, through the club's vice president, have confirmed they have been in contact with Messi about bringing him back to Camp Nou
• Meanwhile, PSG are trying to fend off interest from Barcelona by tying Messi to a contract extension

Former Spain and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has urged the Catalan giants to be circumspect about bringing Lionel Messi back to the club.

Pique's caution comes off the back of Barcelona's attempts to re-sign Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Messi's current deal with PSG expires at the end of the season. As a result, the 35-year-old has been linked with a potential return to his old stomping grounds.

But the 2010 World Cup winner, who runs his own league after calling time on his career, has urged fans of the club to be coy about the potential return of Messi.

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"I know Rafa Yuste [Barcelona's vice president] and how he is. He’s a very good person, and he will always tell you what you want to hear. He’s a great person, and he is going to choose the right words to say what you like to hear," he said as quoted by Sportskeeda.

Pique added that Barcelona's continued courtship of their former talisman might be fruitless.

"Obviously, for all the ‘cules’ it would be incredible if Leo came back, but there comes a point where forcing situations too much can be counterproductive."

Barca in talks with Messi

Barcelona is considering the idea of re-signing Messi, who left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, according to the Catalan club vice president Rafa Yuste, who made the revelation on Friday.

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According to ESPN, Lionel Messi's contract with PSG expires in June, and Barcelona has revealed that they are in talks with him about returning to the team.

Messi forcing Barcelona return?

As talks for a new contract get more difficult, Lionel Messi is unwilling to drop his financial demands to stay with Paris Saint-Germain, Sports Brief reported earlier.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's current deal with the Parisians will expire at the end of the campaign. Thus, putting PSG under pressure to sign a contract extension with Messi amid interest from Barcelona.

To match or increase Messi's contract this season, PSG would have to almost 30% lower their payroll, failing which they would risk losing the 35-year-old striker for nothing in the summer.