Lionel Messi's friend reveals Inter Miami star could return to Barcelona

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :January 27, 2025 at 3:15 AM

Modified at :January 27, 2025 at 3:16 AM

Lionel Messi's friend reveals Inter Miami star could return to Barcelona

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

The Argentine player’s contract with the Herons will end in December.

According to a friend, Lionel Messi has made the decision to rejoin Barcelona after the agreement with Inter Miami expires.

Messi, who has led Miami to League Cup and Supporters Shield victory since his arrival in 2023, has one year left on his contract. Yanina Latorre, a family friend, has hinted that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner may decide to return to Barcelona, where he established himself as maybe the greatest football player of all time, rather than continue with the Herons.

In addition to winning those two trophies, Messi has proven to be a success in MLS, bringing his team to the 2024 playoffs. However, it has always appeared that he will return to Barcelona, whether in a playing role or something different.

Due to financial mismanagement, the team’s all-time top scorer was forced to leave in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain, but it is probably not the end of the story.

Latorre told La Nacion: “He [Messi] told me that when he finishes here [in Miami], where he is happy, he will return to Barcelona.” When questioned if Messi had said he could still extend his stay in Miami, Latorre responded: “No, my place is there.”

Speaking at the end of 2024, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said on the situation: “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, Leo Messi will be our No. 10.”

Even though Messi would surely be greeted as a hero, returning to Barcelona as a player could provide challenges given the club’s ongoing financial problems. The Argentinean, who is currently getting ready for what might be his final season in Major League Soccer, may be better suited for an ambassadorial position.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.