Messi has never had the opportunity to bid farewell to Barcelona fans since his departure in 2021, nor did he return to Camp Nou after leaving Paris Saint-Germain last June. However, the owner of Inter Miami has asserted that the Argentine superstar will have a chance to say goodbye to Barca.
Appearing on the Offside with Taylor Twellman podcast, Jorge Mas stated that Messi will return to Camp Nou. He said, “I don’t know if it will be a friendly match or a tribute game. They have the Gamper Trophy, which is organized in the summer. There will be some similar time, hopefully when Camp Nou reopens, as their stadium won’t be in use for a year and a half. Hopefully, Lionel Messi can bid a proper farewell.”
However, Mas firmly ruled out the possibility of Messi returning to his old team on loan. “That doesn’t require Messi to play for Barcelona. He won’t be on loan there. It’s not going to happen,” Mas quickly dismissed. “Yes, he deserves to bid farewell properly. Yes, I will do everything in my power to create the conditions and help him do that.”
Messi decided not to return to Barca and rejected an incredibly lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023. He is currently enjoying the early stages of his football career in Miami alongside his former Barca teammate, Sergio Busquets, scoring 3 goals in his first 2 appearances for the MLS club.
