BARCELONA star Fermin Lopez admits he’ll happily sit on the bench if Lionel Messi makes a stunning return.
The Nou Camp legend, 38, spent more than 20 years at Barcelona, writing himself into the history books with 672 goals in 778 games.
Messi also won 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues during his time at the club.
But the relationship ended in heartache when Barcelona could not afford to renew his signature in 2021, leading to a shock free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi now finds himself playing in the MLS with Inter Miami.
Yet reports claims “those at Barcelona haven’t given up hope” of seeing him back in town.
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And one current star admits he’d love to see Messi pull on the famous blue-and-red jersey once more.
Youngster Lopez, 22, is another product of Barca’s famous La Masia academy and is now the club’s main playmaker.
He revealed he would sign Messi over any other player if he were in the shoes of manager Hansi Flick.
It would mean more competition for Lopez’s spot in the side.
But he doesn’t care, admitting he would happily take up a seat on the bench to accommodate Messi’s return.
Lopez told Marca: “If it were up to me to sign someone for Barca, I’d sign Messi.
“If they bench me because of Messi, so be it.”
Lopez has 10 goals and 11 assists this season.
And although it doesn’t come close to matching Messi’s numbers at Barcelona, the No10 is now being heralded as the future of the club.
Lopez added: “Right now, I think this is my best year to date. I feel very confident in all aspects of the game and I try to showcase my qualities on the pitch.
“Hopefully I can continue to do well with shots from outside the box. I hope to help the team a lot. It’s not a specific goal I’ve set.
“But in my position, I know I have to score goals and provide assists to help the team, and I hope I can do much more.”
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