 "Lionel Messi is reportedly planning to leave for Barcelona in 2025. Image: Reuters")
Lionel Messi could still return to Barcelona, a family friend hinted while revealing what the Inter Miami forward said about his future at the Major League Soccer (MLS) club. Messi joined Miami in 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain, where he had played for two seasons since 2021.
Messi had played for Barcelona and their youth teams all his life before leaving for France’s PSG in 2021 as the La Liga side was unable to renew his contract due to financial issues .
After winning the Ligue 1 twice at PSG, he made his way to Inter Miami in the USA, helping the club win the Leagues Cup in 2023 and Supporters’ Shield last year . Messi has a contract with Miami till 2025 with reportedly an option to extend it till 2026.
With just one more year left on his contract, naturally, the rumour mills of the footballing world are working overtime, speculating what would be the next move of the 2022 World Cup winner.
Messi wants Barcelona returns?
Amid all the speculation, a family friend of Messi, Yanina Latorre has hinted that the star striker may return to Barcelona and not opt to extend his contract with Inter Miami.
“He [Messi] told me that when he finishes here [in Miami], where he is happy, he will return to Barcelona,” Latorre told La Nacion.
When asked if Messi had hinted at the possibility of extending his stay in Miami, Latorre claimed he responded, “No, my place is there.”
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas in the meantime has said that he hopes Messi will continue with the club till 2026.“Leo and I will sit down to discuss the future. I fully expect that in the opening of our new stadium in 2026 and the opening of our 2026 MLS season after a trophy-laden 2025 season, that Leo Messi will be our No. 10,” Mas said at the end of 2024.
Barcelona recently had issues registering players Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor again . The problem was eventually resolved, but Barcelona’s ongoing financial troubles would only make it difficult for Messi to rejoin the team where he became the starting footballer he is.