Lionel Messi Reflects on Barcelona: A Heartfelt Return to Camp Nou

After departing from Barcelona four years ago, Lionel Messi has since played for both Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. However, the Argentine legend’s connection to the Blaugrana remains strong. This week, Messi returned to the revered grounds of a revamped Camp Nou.

As Argentina prepares for a friendly match against Angola on November 14, Messi, accompanied by Rodrigo De Paul, made an unannounced visit to Barcelona. He was granted exclusive access to the nearly completed Camp Nou, marking his first return since he last played there on May 16, 2021, during a La Liga match against Celta Vigo.

On Instagram, Messi shared a series of photos from his visit, captioning them: “Last night I returned to a place I miss with my soul. A place where I was immensely happy, where you guys made me feel a thousand times the happiest person in the world. I hope one day I can come back, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to…💙❤️.” The post has garnered an astonishing 24.2 million likes, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Nations League triumph post, which stands at 23.5 million likes. Messi has consistently broken records, including for his 2022 World Cup victory post, which remains the most-liked Instagram post ever, with over 74 million likes.

While Ronaldo holds the record for the most-liked comment in Instagram history—his playful reply to Kylian Mbappé regarding a Real Madrid announcement, which received over 5 million likes—Messi’s emotional connection to Barcelona continues.

In an interview with Spanish outlet SPORT, Messi expressed his longing for Barcelona: “I really want to go back there; we miss Barcelona a lot. My wife, the kids, and I are constantly discussing the idea of moving back. We have our home there, so that’s what we want. I’m eagerly anticipating visiting the stadium once it’s completed because I haven’t been back since leaving for Paris.”

Reflecting on his departure from Barcelona, Messi conveyed a sense of lingering sadness. He said, “I was left with a strange feeling after leaving, especially considering how everything unfolded. I spent my last years without fans due to the pandemic, which was not how I envisioned my farewell. I always imagined playing my entire career in Europe at Barcelona and then transitioning to where I am now. The farewell was a bit odd, but I believe the fans’ affection will always remain, given our shared experiences.”

Although a return to Barcelona seems unlikely, Inter Miami’s co-owner, Jorge Mas, has vowed to ensure Messi receives a proper send-off in Catalonia. “Messi’s departure from Barcelona was not ideal; he couldn’t say goodbye to the club that welcomed him as a child. I’ve committed to doing everything possible in the coming years to provide him with the opportunity to bid farewell to his fans in Barcelona. Inter Miami will organize a match or event in his honor.”

Messi’s contract extension with Inter Miami secures his tenure in Major League Soccer until 2028, well beyond his 40th birthday, and he is expected to represent Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, where the Albiceleste aims to defend their title.