FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has explained what former teammate Lionel Messi's position and role would be if he returns to the club this summer, during an interview with SPORT.

Messi is set to be football's most sought-after free agent on June 30 when released from his Paris Saint Germain contract.

Amid big money offers from the Middle East and Premier PINC League interest now apparent according to Ole, the 35-year-old is also linked to his former employers Barca.

SPORT reported on Monday evening that the Blaugrana are not considered an option by Messi because of their failure to make a formal offer thanks to financial difficulties and getting their viability plan off the ground.

In an interview with the same Catalan newspaper, however, Xavi indicated that he is clearly banking on having the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner in his squad and laid out what his role would be were he to return in 2023/2024.

Insisting that he would not change his La Liga-winning team's current ideas and model, Xavi suggested that Messi "could play in several positions". "False nine, winger, interior, even at the base [of the midfield] coming to make the last pass."

Xavi noted that Messi has become "almost like a midfielder" in the twilight of his career - which was no better seen than at Qatar 2022 when he led his country to glory and their third world championship.

Conceding that the legendary number '10' has perhaps lost a little "explosiveness", Xavi pointed out that still we saw an "extraordinary Messi" at the tournament.

"In the end I think he still has years ahead [of him], at a high level", Xavi stated, adding that there is "no doubt" that the veteran would help his blossoming squad.

Now it remains to be seen if president Joan Laporta can make the deal happen and get Barca's economic house in order to convince La Liga that they are capable of navigating Financial Fair Play limits.

Ultimately what also needs to be done is convincing the player and his father Jorge Messi that they should take a far lower €25 million ($26.7 million) a year at Camp Nou according to SPORT, which pales in comparison next to the astronomical €350 million ($373 million) per term placed on the table by Al-Hilal, as El Chiringuito reports.