Lionel Messi, a player for Inter Miami and the Argentine national team, does not hide his affection for Barcelona, his former club. The star, who left Barça in 2021, does not rule out a return to Spain.
The striker is 37 years old and has a contract with the North American team until the end of 2025. In an interview with “Catalunya TV3”, Messi spoke about the future.
— In our minds, the future is to return to live in Barcelona. My children, my wife and I miss Barcelona very much. We have friends and we leave a lot of things there. My children are Catalan. I’ve lived in Barcelona all my life, I sit there and I miss it so much. You never know where life will take you, but our intention is to return because it is our home — said the Argentine, without specifying whether the plans would be before or after retiring from the field.
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He made a point of praising the progress of Barcelona, leaders of La Liga.
— It’s spectacular how the boys are responding to the confidence you are giving them. It is a great pride to see how the main team is represented at this moment. This is spectacular and doesn’t surprise me,” said Messi.
Despite the statements, there are no ongoing negotiations for Barcelona to repatriate Messi. The tendency is for her to fulfill her contract with Inter Miami.
MORE: Will Messi leave Inter Miami? The possible fate of the Argentine star
When will Messi retire?
After more than 20 years in European football, between Barcelona’s youth academy and Paris Saint-German, his last club on the continent, Lionel Messi chose Inter Miami to be closer to his home country, Argentina.
In the USA since 2023, the player has not yet decided when he will retire, as he stated on the “Big Time” podcast in April this year.
— I know that, the moment I feel like I’m not performing, that I’m not enjoying myself or helping my teammates, I’ll leave (football). I’m very self-critical of myself, I know when I’m good, when I’m bad, when I’m playing well or when I’m playing badly. When I feel that it is time to take that step, I will take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I’ll try to keep competing because it’s what I like and know how to do. I don’t have anything clear, I hope to continue playing for a while longer — maintained the Argentine.
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Messi’s Barcelona numbers
- 778 games
- 672 goals
- 305 assists
All Messi’s titles for Barça
- 3 Fifa Club World Cup (2009, 2011, 2015)
- 4 European Champions League (2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15)
- 10 Spanish Championship (2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19)
- 3 UEFA Super Cup (2009, 2011, 2015)
- 7 Copa del Rey (2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21)
