BARCELONA \u2014 Lionel Messi\u2019s return to FC Barcelona as a player is unlikely, according to club president Joan Laporta, who described the prospect as \u201cunrealistic\u201d despite the Argentine star\u2019s recent visit to Camp Nou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Messi, 38, now playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, made a surprise appearance at the stadium last week, stirring speculation about a possible reunion with the club where he spent more than two decades. In a message posted to social media, Messi wrote that he hoped to return \u201cnot just to say goodbye,\u201d referencing his abrupt departure in 2021 amid financial turmoil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laporta, speaking in an interview with Catalunya Radio, said the club welcomed Messi\u2019s visit but dismissed the notion of a playing comeback. \u201cOut of respect for Messi, the professionals at the club, and our members, I believe that to speculate about something unrealistic is not appropriate,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Messi\u2019s departure from Barcelona, where he scored 672 goals in 778 appearances, marked the end of an era. He joined the club at age 13 and became its most decorated player, winning 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies, and seven Ballon d\u2019Or awards during his tenure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laporta, who was president during Messi\u2019s exit, said he had no regrets about the decision, which was driven by the club\u2019s inability to meet La Liga\u2019s financial regulations. \u201cBar\u00e7a is above everything,\u201d he said, reiterating the club\u2019s long-term priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The visit, which was not coordinated with the club, was described by Laporta as spontaneous. Messi toured the stadium and met with former teammates and staff, prompting emotional reactions from fans and renewed calls for a formal farewell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several current and former players responded to Messi\u2019s visit with admiration and support. \u201cLeo\u2019s connection with Barcelona is eternal,\u201d said Cesc F\u00e0bregas, a former teammate. \u201cWhether he plays again or not, Camp Nou will always be his home.\u201d Luis Su\u00e1rez, now with Gremio, posted: \u201cSome bonds never break. Seeing you back at Camp Nou gave me goosebumps, hermano.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sergio Busquets, who now plays alongside Messi at Inter Miami, told reporters: \u201cLeo misses Barcelona deeply. We talk about it often. But returning as a player? That\u2019s complicated.\u201d Jordi Alba added: \u201cHe didn\u2019t get the goodbye he deserved. I hope the club finds a way to honor him properly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Supporters also voiced their sentiments across social media and in interviews outside Camp Nou. \u201cMessi is more than a player \u2014 he\u2019s part of our identity,\u201d said Marta Soler, a lifelong season ticket holder. \u201cHe deserves a farewell that matches his legacy.\u201d Another fan, 19-year-old Pau Mart\u00ednez, said, \u201cEven if he never plays again, we want him back in any role. He belongs here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Laporta ruled out a return in a competitive capacity, many fans and players continue to advocate for a ceremonial farewell or ambassadorial role, recognizing Messi\u2019s unmatched legacy at the club. His presence \u2014 even briefly \u2014 reminded supporters of a golden era that continues to define Barcelona\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BARCELONA \u2014 Lionel Messi\u2019s return to FC Barcelona as a player is unlikely, according to club president Joan Laporta, who described the prospect as \u201cunrealistic\u201d despite the Argentine star\u2019s recent visit to Camp Nou. Messi, 38, now playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, made a surprise appearance at the stadium last week, stirring […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":24122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,5,7],"tags":[1215,1212,1216,1214,1209,1211,1213,1210],"class_list":["post-24117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-international","category-sports","tag-barcapresident","tag-campnoureturn","tag-footballlegends","tag-joanlaporta","tag-lionelmessi","tag-messibarcelona","tag-messihomecoming","tag-messilegacy"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.funminews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Lionel-Messi-1.webp?fit=1440%2C959&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24117"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24123,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24117\/revisions\/24123"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}