Has Lionel Messi hinted he will retire in 2023 after Barcelona's return comment?

Lionel Messi left Barcelona after spending decades with the Catalonians this season after contract fall out and went to PSG.

Despite being hurt by the club President comment following his departure Juan Larporta claimed he hope Messi would play for free at Camp Nou following the club inability to offer him a new contract due to the club financial crisis, which Messi sees as absurd. He has made a comment of recent which suggests he still have passion for the club that made him and will be willing to serve. And this could be as soon as his contract expires with PSG in 2023. Which could mark his retirement from active football. 

He intends to return to Barcelona at the end of his time at Paris Saint-Germain and wants to help the La Liga club in a technical director role. Messi told Spanish outlet SPORT: "I don't know if that'll happen when my PSG contract is up. What's almost confirmed and certain is that we'll return to Barcelona to live and our lives will be there."That's what my wife and I want. I don't know what'll happen when my PSG contract ends, but we'll go back to live in Barcelona."That's what my wife and I want. I don't know what'll happen when my PSG contract ends, but we'll go back to live in Barcelona.

A role that will be very crucial to the success of the club, looking at the current predicament of the club that has seen it become a shadow of itself, the role of the technical director needs to be in the hands of someone that has the club DNA. With Xavi Hanardez hinted to replace Koeman, Messi will love to work with his former teammate to bring back the club's glory days.