Barcelona president Joan Laporta says his club must work to "improve" its relationship with former captain and potential target Lionel Messi.

Messi, 35, spent 20 years at Barca and helped the club win 35 trophies but left for Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021 because of a financial crisis at Spotify Camp Nou.

There has been speculation that Messi, who becomes a free agent in June, will consider a return to Barca.

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Lionel Messi return to Barcelona more and more likely

"He [Messi] has the doors of Barca open," Laporta told the Joe Pomp show. "He knows that. He's part of our emblem.

"Messi is a player of PSG and I have to be careful what I say. I have to respect his club and respect him. Messi knows that we have Messi in our heart, Messi is part of our blood.