Lionel Messi Reflects on His Legacy and Future Plans with Barcelona

Lionel Messi recently made a discreet visit to Camp Nou, where the iconic stadium is preparing to reopen after an impressive redevelopment project.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner became a global legend during his time at Barcelona, where he scored 672 goals in 778 appearances. His illustrious tenure included winning 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies, solidifying his status as the most decorated player in football history.

Barcelona fans have now crowned Messi as the greatest of all time (GOAT), surpassing legends such as Johan Cruyff, Ronaldinho, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta. In a heartfelt message upon receiving this recognition from SPORT, Messi stated: “This award is very special because of what it represents and where it comes from. We’ve experienced many moments together—both joyous and challenging, which is natural in any career. This is my home, my place, and my people.”

Despite now playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami, Messi remains an idol for many Barcelona supporters, including younger fans who may not have witnessed his brilliance first-hand before his emotional departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

The bond between Messi and Barcelona shows no signs of waning, even as he competes on another continent. He has expressed intentions to return to Barcelona once his playing career concludes, affirming, “Obviously, I’m going to come back. I will be at the stadium like any other fan, following the team and supporting the club. For now, I will be here [in Miami] for a few more years, but we will return to Barcelona because it’s my home, and we miss it a lot.”

Messi further elaborated on his enduring connection to Barcelona after watching a video of fans thanking him for his contributions: “We’ve shared so many experiences together—both good and bad, which is inevitable in a lengthy career. I would have preferred to spend my entire career there without needing to play for another club.”

Reflecting on his departure to PSG due to Barcelona’s financial constraints, he remarked, “Unfortunately, circumstances changed, but I will always treasure the memories of our time together. It’s been quite a while since I visited Barcelona or the stadium, particularly since I had to leave without fans present due to the pandemic, which made for an unusual farewell. I have many beautiful memories, so thank you to the people of Barcelona; I hold a special affection for everyone there.”

Speculation about Messi returning to Barcelona as a player has quieted for now, especially with his recent commitment to a three-year deal in Miami that extends through 2028. At 38, he is also expected to be a key player in Argentina’s World Cup title defense in the summer of 2026.