Giant sportswear Nike will ask Barcelona forward Ansu Fathi to give up the number 10 if Lionel Messi decides to return to the Catalan club from Paris Saint-Germain. The company hopes to sell as many jerseys with this number as possible with the help of the Argentine.
According to Sportsunfold.com, Ansu Fathi has not lived up to expectations and has failed to “decently” wear the number ten on his back. As it is known, he received it after Messi left Barcelona for PSG in 2021.
Ansu Fathi never played at a high level because of injuries, scoring only seven goals and giving three assists in 42 games.
According to El Nacional, Barcelona president Joan Laporta and the board of directors are ready to part ways with Ansu Fathi this summer. Given Nike’s influence on the club and their long-term partnership, the brand believes Messi is the ideal candidate to return and get what is rightfully his.
The salary and terms of Messi’s new contract with Barcelona became known earlier. The forward’s agreement with PSG runs until June 30. Despite the fact that it implies the option of renewal for one more season, the Argentine does not intend to stay in the Parisian squad.