Messi emotional Barcelona return plans gathering pace
UCL: Newcastle face German giants Borussia Dortmund at St James’ ParkLionel Messi looks to be making a return to Barcelona in a farewell game held in his honour after an incredible career with the team.
Messi spent over 20 years at Camp Nou, moving to the Spanish city from Argentina as a 13-year-old before blossoming into one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.
The forward practically broke every record possible to him during his time with the team, but chose to move on in 2021 when he joined Paris Saint-Germain.
It was a move that he did not expect to make after ending the previous season, with Messi essentially forced to leave the club amid serious financial issues
And with him robbed of the chance to have a moment in front of the fans to say goodbye, it appears he will be given that in the coming years in the form of a testimonial.
The club’s sporting director, former Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Deco, has stated that they hope to bring Messi back for a game in his honour, once their stadium has been fully renovated in 2024.
Deco told Lance : “I think there will be a farewell game, but maybe in the new stadium when it’s ready. He will always be the greatest idol in the club’s history. The club had great idols, like Cruyff, and Ronaldo, but he is perhaps the greatest of all.
“He will definitely play a farewell match at Barcelona, but when it will be, we don’t know. He is playing, and hopefully, he will play for more years, because people who love football, those who do, will be happy to see him happy.”
Messi could actually line up against Barcelona in the future, with MLS co-owner Jorge Mas already committing to facilitate a possible friendly game match between the club and Inter Miami.
Mas said: “Messi’s departure from Barcelona [in 2021] was not to his liking. He could not say goodbye to his club, which welcomed him as a child, and I think the circumstances were not what Lionel wanted. We will do everything possible in the coming years so that he has the opportunity to say goodbye to his fans in Barcelona.”
Messi has made a solid start in Miami, already winning his first trophy in the form of the Leagues Cup. However, the team sit 14th in the Eastern Conference and look set to miss the playoffs after a slow start to the season prior to the Argentine’s arrival.