Lionel Messi (37, Inter Miami) is once again being discussed as a possibility to wear the Barcelona uniform.
According to TNT Sports on the 20th (Korean time), the prestigious Spanish La Liga club Barcelona is doing its best to re-sign club legend Lionel Messi. Speculation is arising that he will return to Barcelona ahead of the 2026-2027 season.
Messi, who spent his youth career at Barcelona, made his professional debut for the club in 2004. He seemed destined to remain a 'one-club man,' but transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) just before the 2021-2022 season.
Few anticipated that Messi would leave Barcelona, making it shocking news. A contract renewal between Messi and Barcelona did not materialize due to La Liga regulatory issues arising from the club's financial difficulties, which were not resolved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For nearly 20 years, Messi wore the Barcelona uniform, recording a total of 778 matches, 672 goals, and 305 assists. During this time, he lifted numerous trophies, including 10 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, and 7 Copa del Rey titles.
At Barcelona, Messi also won the Ballon d'Or six times. Truly, Messi is a 'legend' among Barcelona 'legends.'
Messi, who left his 'beloved team,' did not achieve satisfactory results in his first season at PSG. Needing adaptation time and dealing with injuries, he scored his debut goal in Ligue 1 only three months after his transfer. In his debut season with PSG, Messi managed only 6 league goals (a total of 11 official goals), a disappointing record.
Just before the 2023-2024 season, Messi left PSG to join the Major League Soccer team Inter Miami but appears to have the desire to return to Barcelona someday.
When receiving his eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023, Messi said, 'I have always supported Barcelona and will continue to do so. This has been clearly stated.' He added, 'Barcelona is the club I love and will love for life. It is a wonderful team with many good players and a blend of youth and experience,' speaking positively about the club where he spent a long time.
'At Barcelona, I grew up. It is also the place that gave me everything,' he said. 'Why would I not want to return to the club I devoted everything to? However, I am not considering that at the moment. But someday, I plan to live in Barcelona and get close to the club again in some way. I will return to the club that feels like home, but I have not envisioned a specific future yet.'
His comments suggest that there is indeed a possibility of seeing Messi wear the Barcelona uniform again in the distant future.
TNT Sports predicts that Messi's wish will finally become a reality.
The media notes, 'There is a possibility that Messi's return to Barcelona could happen in the near future. The club is reviewing contracts to bring Messi, who has won the Ballon d'Or eight times, back to Spain,' while also indicating that various conditions will be included in the contract. The negotiation process is expected to be complex.
Barcelona is reported to have set a goal to re-sign Messi in the summer of 2026, after the conclusion of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, when Messi will be 39 years old.
Before transferring to Inter Miami, Messi expressed his intent to return to Barcelona, but a contract was not finalized at that time.
Barcelona's financial issues must be resolved for Messi's re-signing to gain momentum.
TNT Sports reports, 'Barcelona's financial difficulties remain a hurdle. The club has recently sought government assistance to temporarily resolve player registrations. Such financial limitations have historically undermined the club's competitiveness.' They added, 'Currently, Messi's contract with Inter Miami is valid until the end of 2025. Inter Miami is confident that Messi will stay even after the World Cup.'
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