Barcelona Fans Welcomed Lionel Messi Back To The City At The Airport

Barcelona fans showed how much love that still have for Lionel Messi, as they greeted him, and his family, at the airport on their return to the city.

It's 10 months since the football world was left in shock as Messi was forced to leave Barcelona, after his contract expired at the club and they couldn't afford to renew it.

He was in tears as he left but soon rocked up to PSG, full of cheer. However that good feeling has waned somewhat in his first season in Ligue 1, with the seven time Ballon d'Or winner scoring just six times in the league.

Whist Paris might not have been a happy hunting ground for the Argentina star so far, he can always rely on going 'home' to Barcelona to be cheered up.

On Wednesday, the forward arrived in the Catalan city with his family, for a summer break, and was met by a hoard of Barca fans.

The 34-year-old stopped for pictures and to sign merch, as wife Antonella and their three kids walked through the adoring supporters.

Despite his move to Paris, the former Barca captain still has a house in the city and will no doubt be enjoying his summer back in his home.

It comes after his poor season with PSG was followed by a summer break with Argentina that hints at potential World Cup success later this year.

The South Americans battered European champions Italy in the Finalissima match, with Messi producing a classic performance in the game.

He followed that up with all five of his team's goal in a 5-0 win over Estonia, in a friendly, which was impressive no matter the opposition.

Messi ended the season with more silverware. Image: Alamy

Whilst his form for Argentina might hint at him getting back to his best, that still isn't good enough for some people, with Marco van Basten claiming the four time Champions League winner isn't amongst the three best players ever.

Many consider Messi to be the G.O.A.T but the Dutch legend named Pele and Diego Maradona above him, as well as fellow Netherlands hero Johan Cruyff.

Remember kids, no matter what you do, someone will remind you it's not quite good enough...

Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28