At the moment on a well-deserved break together with his household after a demanding 2024, Lionel Messi has been reflecting on a 12 months stuffed with each private and staff achievements. These included securing the Supporters’ Protect and an early MLS playoff exit with Inter Miami, in addition to main Argentina to a Copa America title and pivotal wins within the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
As he prepares for a brand new 12 months full of challenges with the Herons, the Argentine celebrity took to social media to share an surprising message, revealing which membership he considers to be the most effective on the planet—and it’s not Inter Miami, however Barcelona.
“Completely happy a hundred and twenty fifth anniversary to the most effective membership on the planet,” Messi wrote on his official Instagram account, marking the anniversary of Barcelona’s founding on November 29, 1899. The submit was accompanied by blue and pink coronary heart emojis, representing the enduring colours of the Catalan membership.
Within the tribute, Leo additionally shared a number of pictures that encapsulate his historical past with Barcelona. Among the many photographs have been iconic moments, comparable to his memorable aim within the 2009 UEFA Champions League last towards Manchester United, in addition to pictures of the packed Camp Nou, the passionate followers, and his legendary No. 10 jersey.
Lionel Messi shared a message congratulating Barcelona for his or her a hundred and twenty fifth anniversary.
Inside minutes, the submit amassed over 1.3 million likes from followers worldwide. Many Barcelona supporters expressed their gratitude for Messi’s immense contributions to the membership, whereas others joined in celebrating the Spanish facet’s historic milestone.
Why did Lionel Messi go away Barcelona?
Lionel Messi’s journey at Barcelona started in 2000 when he moved from his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. After 4 years within the membership’s youth system, he made his senior debut in 2004 and rapidly turned a central determine for then-coach Frank Rijkaard, alongside legends like Ronaldinho, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi.
The ahead’s expertise and management shone brightly throughout his 17 years at Barcelona, the place he broke nearly each membership document and cemented his legacy as one of many biggest gamers in soccer historical past. Nonetheless, in the summertime of 2021, Messi’s lengthy affiliation with the Catalan membership got here to an abrupt finish. The membership’s extreme monetary troubles, exacerbated by La Liga’s wage cap laws, meant they might not afford to resume his contract, regardless of each events’ want to proceed their partnership.
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Following two difficult seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi made the transfer to Inter Miami in 2023, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract that runs by the tip of 2025. Not too long ago, amid hypothesis about his future with the Herons, Messi made a candid confession about how a lot he misses Barcelona—each the membership and town he referred to as dwelling for almost 20 years.
Will Messi ever return to Barcelona?
At 37 years outdated and together with his contract at Inter Miami operating till 2025, it appears unlikely that Lionel Messi will ever play professionally for Barcelona once more. Nonetheless, that doesn’t rule out a possible return in a special capability.
One doable avenue for his return might be tied to the reopening of Barcelona’s iconic Camp Nou stadium. The Spanish giants are presently finalizing in depth renovations and plan to return to their revamped dwelling within the first half of subsequent 12 months.
For months, rumors have circulated a couple of potential pleasant match between Barcelona and Inter Miami (and even Argentina) to commemorate each the brand new stadium and Messi’s legendary contribution to the membership. Whereas these rumors persist, there have been no official bulletins, and it stays unclear if such a match will come to fruition within the close to future.
