MADRID, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi believes that the arrival of Xavi Hernandez will help his former club FC Barcelona regain their status as one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Barcelona's perilous financial situation meant they could not afford to offer Messi a new contract, and the Argentinian subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain this summer, in a huge blow to the club who replaced Ronald Koeman with Xavi a fortnight ago.

In an interview with Spanish sports paper Marca, Messi took stock of the current situation at the Camp Nou.

"Barcelona are going through a stage of reconstruction with a team in which there are many young players. Today I think there are better teams than Barcelona, but that doesn't mean they won't compete, because we have to take into account Xavi's arrival," he said.

Messi said he believed the arrival of his former teammate as coach would be important.

"He is a coach who knows a lot, he knows the club perfectly and has lived in Barcelona since he was a child. He has also helped to raise morale as he is very respected by the fans and the players."

"He will be a very important coach for the younger footballers because he will teach them and I have no doubt the team will improve a lot with him," added the striker, who added that he thought the treatment given to former coaches Koeman and Ernesto Valverde was unfair, because "the easiest thing is always to blame the coach."

Messi admitted he was surprised by the recent return of Dani Alves, but said the veteran full-back can also help as he "also contribute a lot off the field with his daily work, the commitment and the desire that he always has to win."

The striker admitted that he "always wants the best for Barcelona."

"I am a fan even though I am not playing there now. And I have colleagues and friends there. I want them to do well. I know they have dropped points in La Liga, but there is a long way to go and I am certain they will climb the table," he insisted.

The Argentinian said he didn't want to look into the details of his departure, but insisted that in the future he would return to his former home.

"I have always said that at some point I will return to Barcelona because it is my home and because I am going to live there. And obviously if I can contribute and help the club, I would love to return," concluded Messi.