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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Freddie Keighley

Joan Laporta hints Barcelona could reunite Andres Iniesta with Xavi at Nou Camp

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is open to the possibility of Andres Iniesta following Dani Alves' lead by returning to the Nou Camp.

Alves, 38, rejoined Barca last weekend after five years away and he will play for the paltry sum of €1 per month as he tries to "rescue" the club from the doldrums.

Laporta hopes the transfer will boost morale after a dismal start to the season which saw Ronald Koeman sacked with the Catalans ninth in La Liga.

Blaugrana hero Xavi has been appointed Koeman's successor and the 41-year-old could find himself managing a number of his former teammates in the seasons to come.

Laporta refused to "rule out" club legends Iniesta, 37, and Lionel Messi, 34, re-signing for Barcelona as he spoke at Alves' unveiling on Wednesday.

Is Andres Iniesta the greatest midfielder of all time? Have your say in the comments!

Andres Iniesta (left) and Lionel Messi (centre) could find themselves playing under former teammate Xavi (right) (AFP)

"I don't rule anything out," Laporta told reporters when asked if the duo could return. "It happened with Dani, age is just a number. They're two great players.

"I can't predict what will happen tomorrow, they're still playing and are contracted to other clubs. You never know."

Messi departed this summer after 21 years on Barcelona's books after he was unable to sign a new contract with the club, who are in a financial crisis and risked breaching salary cap regulations.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer and he has scored three goals in eight appearances for the French giants.

Iniesta, meanwhile, left Barcelona at the expiry of his contract in 2018 and joined J1 League club Vissel Kobe, where he continues to ply his trade.

The Spaniard, who formed arguably the greatest midfield of all time with Xavi, won the Japan FA Cup in 2019 to add another trophy to a cabinet which already contains nine La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, a World Cup and two European Championships.

Messi and Iniesta are undoubtedly two of Barcelona's most iconic players with 1,452 appearances for the club between them.

The Argentina captain, who is contracted at PSG until 2023 with the option for another year, outlined his intention to return to Camp Nou earlier this month, although he was speaking about his plans after retiring from playing.

Iniesta has also made no secret of his desire to play in the famous dark blue and red jersey again, although he suggested he would like to see out the remaining 19 months of his contract at Vissel Kobe.

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