Lionel Messi Drops Bombshell: "We Miss Barcelona" as He Unveils Return Plans

Lionel Messi has disclosed that he and his family intend to relocate back to Barcelona sometime in the coming years.

The Argentinian legend initially arrived in the Catalan city as a young player, eventually persuading Barcelona to cover the cost of growth hormone therapy that his childhood team, Newell's Old Boys, was unable to finance. This partnership, which started with a hastily written agreement on a napkin at a tennis facility, would span 21 years, resulting in 778 matches, 672 goals, and 34 titles. However, it concluded with heartbreak.

Barcelona's dire financial circumstances—resulting from poor management exacerbated by the COVID pandemic—made it impossible for the club to offer Messi a new deal in 2021. For the first time since age 13, Messi needed to seek a different team.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient didn't have to circulate videos of himself juggling various household items this time—though it would have been fascinating to witness if he retained the skillful touch that enabled him to complete 113 keepie-uppies with an orange twenty years prior—he had plenty of suitors.

Paris Saint-Germain would transport Messi to the French capital for two seasons before he moved to Inter Miami in 2023. The 38-year-old has secured his future with the Herons, signing an extension through 2028 just last month, but remains determined to return to Barcelona eventually.

"I'm truly excited about returning there," Messi shared with SPORT this week. "We deeply miss Barcelona. My wife and I, along with the children, constantly discuss Barcelona and the prospect of residing there once more. We maintain our home there, everything, so that's our desire."

Messi was recently photographed at the renovated Camp Nou, posting a compelling social media message: "I hope I can come back someday, and not merely to bid farewell as a player, as I never had the chance to..."

This private visit has generated considerable speculation, but it appears Messi's playing career at Barcelona has concluded. Nevertheless, there remains a chance he could return to the organization in an alternative role—possibly as a sporting director—after retiring from professional football in Florida. He will, ultimately, be residing in the city.

Messi Highlights His Most Treasured Barcelona Moments

Messi's affection for Barcelona certainly originates from the remarkable success he achieved at Camp Nou. When SPORT asked him to select his most treasured memory from his tenure at the club, he naturally confessed: "It's difficult to choose just one. Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to witness numerous special moments."

"I'm not sure, typically when we discuss joy we consider titles, accomplishments, the significant things we've achieved," Messi reflected. "But the initial sextuple under [Pep] Guardiola was remarkable, and the final Champions League with Luis Enrique was equally special. I don't know, it's challenging to select just one instance."

Messi was already regarded as one of the world's premier talents when Pep Guardiola became Barcelona's manager in 2008, but the former club captain turned strategist recognized the Argentine's untapped potential. "Under my guidance, you'll net three or four goals per match," Guardiola promised Messi. He came remarkably close to that prediction.

During Guardiola's first 18 months in charge, Barcelona captured all six possible trophies thanks to Messi's exceptional scoring record, becoming the inaugural European team to accomplish a complete sweep across domestic, continental, and global competitions.

Messi's fourth and final Champions League triumph occurred under Enrique in 2015. What started as a challenging season—and allegedly involved the manager informing Messi that he understood Barcelona's superstar could have him dismissed at will—concluded with another treble.

"I'm thankful to God for bringing me to that place as a youngster, and also for my children being born in the city, and for the entire organization and the city overall because I arrived as a child, matured, and spent my entire life there," Messi expressed warmly. "There are countless things, not only within the club but throughout the city, that I must treasure."