Lionel Messi is reportedly set to return to his beloved Barcelona before retiring from football.
The footballing icon was forced to leave the Catalan giants in shock circumstances back in the summer of 2021. Their financial turmoil meant they were unable to sign a deal to keep Messi at the club, leading him to tearfully join Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
By his own admission, two miserable years in France followed despite the Argentine winning three trophies with the Parisians and also lifting the World Cup during that time. He then quit European football in the summer of 2023 to join David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami, where he has since helped them win the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield, while landing himself an MVP award.
But the manner of Messi’s departure from Barcelona, in which he failed to receive a proper farewell, has always left a bitter taste in their fans’ mouths. And after constant reports linking Messi with a return in recent years, Messi has now reignited those rumours, having been quoted to have said: “I can’t leave football without playing at the new Camp Nou (Barcelona’s reconstructed stadium)."
That is according to Alex Candal via DS Sports – the journalist having already rocked the footballing world by announcing Messi’s move to America. Candal doubled down on his claim, adding: "Who was the first one to say that Leo Messi was joining Inter Miami? Me... or not? And now I'm telling you: He's coming back to Barcelona."
Messi’s current contract at Inter Miami ends in December 2025 with no reports of a renewal as of yet, though his deal includes the option of a 12-month extension. While he could become a free agent, it remains unclear whether Barcelona have the financial power to seal their most famous academy product’s return.
The diminutive magician revealed in an interview after winning his record eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023 that he wanted to return in the summer of that year, saying: "I could have returned to Barca, but it didn't happen. My first thought was always to return home, to be able to play at Barca again and retire there as I had always dreamed. But it wasn't possible.”
The Blaugrana legend also said in an interview with 3Cat last year: "My kids were born here. I’ve spent my whole life living there. I feel I belong to Barcelona. My family and I always think about the possibility of returning to live there one day. My children, my wife and I miss our life there a lot. We miss our friends."
It is still uncertain in what capacity Messi would return to Barcelona based on Candal’s claim. The 37-year-old could yet get his opportunity even if a transfer does not materialise, in the form of an exhibition or friendly match, which would allow him to grace the Camp Nou turf once more and be hailed by his adoring fans.
The stadium is currently undergoing major reconstruction, with Barcelona playing at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys since the 2023/24 season. The final completion of all renovations, which will see the capacity increase to 105,000, is scheduled for June 2026 – the same summer as what will be Messi's last World Cup with Argentina as things stand.