Could a Barcelona legend be returning home?
Barcelona are exploring Lionel Messi's sensational return to the club
Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the end of 2025, with no option for an extension. This means the current MLS season could well be his last.
Reports suggest that Barcelona are determined to bring Messi back and rectify the circumstances of his emotional departure in 2021.
The club has already begun laying the groundwork for his return, with plans to welcome him back after the 2026 World Cup, ahead of the 2026/27 La Liga season.
One of the driving factors behind Barcelona’s push is their ambition to have Messi back in time for the grand reopening of the fully renovated Camp Nou.
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With major redevelopment work ongoing, Barca have been playing home games at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. They are expected to return to Camp Nou later this season, but likely with a reduced capacity of just over 60,000 while final touches are completed.
The club’s long-term plan is to have the stadium fully operational for the start of the 2026/27 campaign, perfect timing for a potential Messi homecoming.
Would this be a good for Messi and for Barcelona?
For Messi, this would be a great move. For the club, you'd have to wonder. It's clearly a complicated situation.
At 36, Messi remains a generational talent, but bringing him back raises questions about Barcelona’s long-term strategy. His return would be a sentimental triumph, a chance to right the wrongs of his controversial departure in 2021. It would allow fans to see their greatest ever player don the famous shirt once more and potentially retire at the club where he became a legend.
However, Barcelona’s current priorities suggest they should be looking forward, not back. The club is still recovering from financial turmoil and working to rebuild a squad that can compete at the highest level. Would signing an ageing Messi, likely on a substantial wage, align with that vision?
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There’s also the question of where he would fit tactically. The current manager has built a side around young stars. Messi’s influence would be undeniable, but could his presence disrupt the development of the next generation?
Yet, commercially, the appeal is obvious. His return would generate immense revenue, boost global interest in the club, and provide the perfect headline for the reopening of a fully renovated Camp Nou. For a club that has often prioritised brand value alongside sporting success, the temptation is clear.
Ultimately, while a Messi return would be a dream for fans, it comes with significant risks. Barcelona must weigh nostalgia against progress. Is the club ready to embrace the future, or will sentimentality dictate its next move?
