After spending nearly two years with Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi added several domestic titles to his collection and, more importantly, fulfilled his lifelong dream by winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina—an achievement that crowned his legendary career.
Despite his continued brilliance on the pitch, the partnership between Messi and PSG ultimately did not extend beyond the original contract.
In a recent interview, Messi opened up about his post-PSG plans and once again addressed the emotional chapter that never materialized: a return to FC Barcelona.
“I wanted to return to Barcelona, to a place I always hoped to go back to, but in the end, it wasn’t possible,” Messi said.
That confession reignited sorrow among Barça fans worldwide—reminding them of a reunion that was hoped for, but never came to be.
The Missed Homecoming: Why Didn’t Barcelona Open the Door Again?
Messi also revealed that, after leaving PSG, he received offers from several top European clubs—many of which were capable of contending for Champions League glory.
However, he could not bring himself to wear another European jersey and potentially face Barcelona as an opponent. For Messi, Barça isn’t just a club—it’s home, a sanctuary deeply tied to his identity, legacy, and soul.
He admitted he couldn’t picture himself walking onto the Camp Nou pitch as a rival, and thus chose a different path: a fresh chapter in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.
Inter Miami: Not the End, But a New Kind of Passion
Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has not only maintained a high standard of play but also taken on the role of global ambassador for football’s growth in North America.
While MLS doesn’t rival the top five European leagues in competitiveness, Messi’s move was about more than trophies. It was a decision grounded in respect, personal values, and family priorities.
In truth, even during his time in Paris, Messi had already started preparing for a gradual wind-down after the 2022 World Cup.
Had Barcelona reached out with a serious intent to bring him back, he would likely have returned to his roots—to where it all began. But when the door to home remained shut, he had no choice but to look forward.
Will Barça Give Messi the Farewell He Deserves After 2026?
Messi is currently still representing Argentina and is fully committed to preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Based on their performances in the South American qualifiers, Argentina remains one of the top favorites to lift the trophy again.
For Messi, who has now completed football’s “grand slam,” the next World Cup will likely be his final major tournament as a professional player.
The lingering question remains: will he ever wear the Barça shirt again—even just once? Perhaps not as an official squad member, but through a testimonial match or a grand farewell event at Camp Nou?
According to local Catalan sources, Barcelona’s top brass have been discussing the idea of hosting an official farewell ceremony for Messi, ideally after the stadium’s ongoing renovations are completed.
The dream of Messi returning to say goodbye—on the field, under the floodlights, in front of 90,000 adoring fans—may yet become a reality.
A Legend Should Never Fade in Silence
The way Messi left Barcelona in 2021 felt rushed, bureaucratic, and unceremonious—an unfitting exit for the club’s greatest icon.
He deserves more. He deserves a thunderous ovation, one last walk across the pitch he made his kingdom, and a standing farewell from the fans who chanted his name for over two decades.
Barcelona may now be young, fast, and building for a new era. But no matter how far the club progresses, the memory of the No. 10 with a wand for a left foot—who mesmerized the world in blaugrana colors—will forever be its most sacred identity.
Time will pass. Trophies will be archived. But the story Messi wrote with Barcelona, that red-and-blue love letter to football, will live forever in the hearts of fans across generations.
