‘I really want to go back’ — Messi excites Barcelona fans with desire to return

Lionel Messi has reignited excitement among Barcelona supporters after openly expressing his longing to return to the club that defined his career.

The Argentine icon, who currently stars for Inter Miami, revealed his deep emotional connection to Barça and hinted that a reunion could be on the horizon once the Camp Nou renovations are complete.

Speaking in an interview with DiarioSports as quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Messi shared heartfelt reflections about his bond with Barcelona, saying, “I really want to go back to Barça stadium when it's finished because since I left for Paris I didn't go back to Camp Nou either and then they went to Montjuïc.”

He added that both he and his family miss life in the Catalan city, revealing, “We have our house, everything, so that's what we want.”

Messi also admitted that he continues to follow Barça’s matches closely, discussing their results and performances with his family.

His comments quickly went viral, with fans interpreting them as a sign that the club’s greatest-ever player might soon step foot on the Camp Nou pitch once again, perhaps for the farewell he never got in 2021.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has already stated that the club intends to host a tribute match for Messi once Camp Nou’s renovation is complete in 2026.

“It would be a beautiful way to inaugurate the stadium,” Laporta said, echoing the sentiments of millions of fans worldwide.

Messi’s surprise visit to the construction site over the weekend only deepened speculation of a return. On Instagram, he described the visit as “a night filled with nostalgia,” writing, “I hope one day I can come back, and not just to say goodbye as a player.”

With 42 goals for Inter Miami last season and his form showing no signs of decline, the idea of Messi returning, even briefly, feels less like a fantasy and more like a fitting final chapter to a legendary story.