Messi’s Barcelona Return: One Man Blocking It

Talk of Lionel Messi (37) making a fantastic comeback to Barcelona has resurfaced these days since the Argentine great apparently wants to play in the new Camp Nou stadium.

However, Spanish football specialist Guillem Balague says the likelihood of that occurring is remote. That is so because club president Joan Laporta presents a significant challenge. “I would say it is impossible while Laporta is in charge, Balague said on his Twitter account.”

After 21 years representing the Blaugrana team, Laporta was in command when Messi left Barcelona in 2021. The Argentine initially agreed to renew, but financial problems drove the team to turn down the offer.

Disappointed and startled, Leo Messi signed as a free agent Paris Saint-Germain. Two years later, in 2023, the South American great arrived in the US under contract with David Beckham’s team Inter Miami.

Now Laporta still leading, Balague insists that as long as he is in command an emotional reunion is “impossible.”

Recent claims from journalist Álex Candal, who said Messi is thinking about returning to Europe and wants to play in the recently rebuilt Camp Nou before retiring, go counter to this.

Inter Miami currently still controls Messi’s destiny. Apparently ready with a fresh deal for the Argentinean, the Americans wish to keep him. Guillem Balague said, “quite likely Inter Miami will persuade him to remain at the club.”

With 34 medals—four UEFA Champions League trophies and ten La Liga championships— Leo Messi is still a real hero for Barcelona. In his 778 games for the Catalans, the Argentinean scored 672 goals and also offered 303 assists.