This information was revealed by journalist Yanina Latorre, a close friend of the Messi family. With the current contract lasting until December 31, 2025, superstar Messi can completely become a free player right before the 2026 World Cup, the tournament in which he is very eager to defend the title with the Argentina team.

Messi and his undying love for Barcelona

According to Yanina Latorre, superstar Messi did not hide his desire to return to Barcelona when asked about his future: “I asked Messi: “Aren’t you going to stay in Miami?”, He replied: “No, no, my place is there (Barcelona)”. This answer once again confirmed the close relationship between Messi and Barcelona.

After leaving the club in 2021 with regret, Messi has always had a special interest in the Catalan team. He once admitted that he felt heartbroken when he had to leave in an unwanted way, due to the team’s financial problems. Although he has conquered MLS with Inter Miami, won the 2023 Leagues Cup and created a football fever in the US, it seems that superstar Messi has never really left Barcelona in his heart.

The decision not to renew his contract with Inter Miami is not only emotional but also strategic. Messi is planning to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, where he will turn 39. Returning to Barcelona could help him maintain a top-level football environment, playing in a more competitive league than MLS.

La Liga will help superstar Messi maintain his rhythm and allow him to better coordinate with his Argentina teammates, many of whom are also playing in Europe. Furthermore, Barcelona’s revival with talented young players such as Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde could also be a factor in Messi’s return. Messi’s presence will not only help the team improve but also act as a mentor for the next generation.

Opportunity to return to the old roof

Barcelona president Joan Laporta was determined to re-sign Messi as a free agent last year, when he left Paris Saint-Germain. But Messi confirmed the reason it didn’t happen was because he didn’t want to leave everything to the club and end up disappointed, having found himself in a similar situation in 2021 when a contract extension failed to materialise. However, this time for a reunion is different.

Messi’s return to Barcelona is not without its problems. First, the club’s finances are still not really stable despite some improvements. To bring Messi back, the team may have to find a way to optimize the salary fund or convince him to accept a lower salary than before.

There is also the possibility that Messi will choose another option such as playing half a season at Barcelona on a short-term contract, similar to what David Beckham did when he combined MLS and AC Milan. This will help him maintain his peak form before entering the final stage of preparation for the World Cup.

Despite not renewing his contract, Messi’s time at Inter Miami can still be considered a successful journey. He helped develop American soccer, raised the level of the MLS, and created a huge attraction around the world.

With Inter Miami, superstar Messi not only brought home the 2023 Leagues Cup title but also played an important role in attracting many other stars to MLS such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez. In more than a year playing in the US, Messi has left a deep mark both on and off the field. However, with his passion for top football and the dream of conquering another World Cup, leaving Miami was inevitable.

If superstar Messi does indeed return to Barcelona in 2026, it would be a beautiful football story. After all the ups and downs, the image of Messi wearing the Blaugrana shirt again, playing at Camp Nou (or Barca’s new stadium), would be an emotional moment for fans around the world.

Although there has been no official announcement from either side, with what has happened, it can be seen that the door to reunion is still wide open. And if that happens, world football will witness one of the greatest reunions in history.