• Lionel Messi devoted over twenty years to Barcelona.
• The 37-year-old continues to deliver remarkable statistics for Inter Miami.
• Barcelona setting the stage for a surprising Messi comeback in 2026.
Reports from Argentina suggest that Barcelona is preparing a stunning offer to bring back Lionel Messi for the 2026/27 season.
Messi emotionally bid farewell to Barcelona after over twenty years in Catalonia during the summer of 2021, signing with Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer when the Spanish club couldn't manage to fund a new contract for their greatest ever player.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient has dedicated the last year and a half to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), consistently breaking records and captivating fans during his initial venture into professional football beyond Europe.
Nevertheless, for the first time since his arrival in America, there are increasing rumors that Messi might go back to Barcelona, as reported by TNT Sports Argentina. The Catalan giants are reportedly "gradually setting up" an agreement to bring the Argentine star back to northern Spain with a contract that will include "many stipulations".
Barcelona have scheduled the summer of 2026, right after the World Cup that will be co-hosted by the US, as the moment to return Messi. At the beginning of Spain's national season that year, the highly productive playmaker will turn 39.
Prior to joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi "strongly desired" to go back to his childhood club, but an agreement couldn't be reached. "I learned that [Barcelona] needed to sell players or reduce salaries, and honestly, I didn't want to experience that," he clarified back then.
Barcelona's financial condition hasn't significantly enhanced in the ensuing years - only a few months ago, the club had to seek approval from the Spanish government for temporary registrations for Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.
Messi's existing contract with Inter Miami is set to conclude at the end of 2025, but the previous season's Supporters' Shield champions are optimistic about keeping their star player. "As I mentioned previously," Inter co-owner Jorge Mas told reporters in November, "I will reiterate: I fully anticipate that at the debut of our new stadium in 2026 and the start of our 2026 MLS season following a trophy-filled 2025 season, Leo Messi will be our No 10."
It remains uncertain if he will don those numbers for Barcelona again.
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