Lionel Messi Has Requested Barcelona To Retain 2 Star Players: Reports

Lionel Messi has reportedly requested Barcelona to keep hold of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets beyond the current season as he ponders a sensational return to Catalonia.

The trio won five league and one UEFA Champions League together before the Argentine icon left in 2021. Messi had joined Barca in 2000, five years before Busquets arrival at La Masia.

Alba was the latest to arrive at Barcelona out of the three, doing so in the summer of 2012 when he left Valencia. According to El Futbolero, Messi wants Barca to keep hold of the duo, which could prove to be a tricky proposition.

The Blaugrana have planned on parting ways with Alba this summer, especially due to Alejandro Baldes emergence in the first team. The 34-year-old, who was being forced by Barca to join Inter Milan last summer, has started just 11 La Liga games this term.

Albas contract expires at the end of next season, but his race seems to have been run at the Camp Nou.

Busquets, also 34, is pondering his future with Barcelona and could leave as a free agent this summer.

Manager Xavi Hernandez has publicly said that the Spanish midfielder has the complete freedom to extend his stay beyond the summer. It remains to be seen if the club pay heed to Messis supposed request to keep the two Spaniards for next season.

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