The Arsenal skipper has long been linked with a return to the club he left as an teenager.
“It is no secret that Cesc is my friend,” Messi told Spanish television station Cuatro.
“The whole world knows that and I would love him to sign for Barca.
“I hope that the matter can be resolved soon and I’m confident that in the end it will be resolved in the way that Cesc can be a Barcelona player.”
