Messi Reflects on His Barcelona Legacy Amidst New MLS Commitment

Tears were shed as Lionel Messi severed his long-standing ties with FC Barcelona. Over the past four years, speculation regarding his potential return to the pitch for the Catalan club has been rife. However, Messi has now signed a new contract in South Florida, ensuring his presence in Major League Soccer (MLS) until the conclusion of the 2028 campaign.

Although a return to the Blaugrana in a playing capacity seems increasingly unlikely, Messi is eager to reconnect with his spiritual home. He recently enjoyed a private tour of Barcelona’s newly renovated stadium. During this unexpected visit, Messi shared with SPORT: “I genuinely wish to return; both my wife and I, along with our children, often discuss our fondness for Barcelona and the idea of moving back. We still own our house there, which reinforces our desire to return. I am particularly looking forward to visiting the stadium once it is complete, as I have not stepped foot in Camp Nou since my departure for Paris.”

Reflecting on his time at Camp Nou, Messi acknowledged the bittersweet nature of his memories: “Returning to the new stadium will feel strange, as it has been a long time since my last visit. I am excited to relive and recall the special moments I experienced, despite the renovations. I am profoundly grateful for the unwavering affection from the fans, and I carry nothing but gratitude.”

The iconic 38-year-old grew emotional as he revisited the circumstances surrounding his departure from Barcelona, a move made against the wishes of many. He recounted, “Leaving gave me a strange feeling due to how everything unfolded, especially since I played my final years without fans because of the pandemic. After dedicating my entire life to the club, I didn’t imagine my departure would happen this way. My dream was to play my whole career in Europe at Barcelona and then come here, as I have. The farewell was unusual, given the circumstances. However, I believe the fans’ affection will remain due to everything we’ve shared.”

Messi, who became a global icon during his tenure at Camp Nou, reflected on his journey from Argentina to Europe as a teenager. When asked to highlight a standout moment from his historic career with Barcelona, he remarked: “I cherish every experience I had during that time, including my growth both as a person and as a player. When I reminisce through images and memories, I am reminded of the moments we shared and everything I experienced.”

Having arrived at the club as a child, Messi expressed his gratitude: “I am thankful to God for leading me to that place when I was young, as well as for my children’s births in the city. I have spent my entire life there, and there are countless memories, both with the club and in the city, that I hold dear.”

Throughout his illustrious career at Barcelona, Messi made 778 appearances starting in 2004, scoring 672 goals and winning 35 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League titles, solidifying his status as one of the all-time greats. Currently, he pursues further success in the United States after two seasons in France, with hopes of gracing the Camp Nou pitch once more—be it in a friendly or exhibition match—before ultimately retiring from football.