Messi's contract at French champions Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of June and he will leave two years after joining from Barca, his only other senior club.

The seven-time Ballon D'or winner as the world's best player, who guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, will "make a decision next week", Xavi said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo on Friday.

"You have to leave him alone."

Messi knows he will find an "open door" at the Spanish champions, added Xavi, who has been campaigning internally to sign his 35-year-old former teammate.

"I have zero doubt he would help us a lot."

Barcelona have long said they would look at ways to re-sign Messi but many pundits believe the financial problems which forced them to let their No.10 go in the first place remain a hindrance to him returning.

Reports suggest the pursuit of Messi is a smokescreen to placate the fans and there is no genuine intention of offering the player a deal.

Media speculation has linked the forward with Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal as well as MLS side Inter Miami, who on Thursday sacked coach Phil Neville.

Australian Associated Press