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Messi’s family friend Yanina Latorre has suggested that the Argentine legend would make a comeback to Barcelona upon the expiry of his current contract with MLS side Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi. (X)
Ever since Lionel Messi left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021, there have been endless rumours about his possible return to his childhood club in Spain. While Messi is currently enjoying his stint in the Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami, the latest development has triggered discussions about his much-talked-about reunion with Barcelona. It has been learnt that Messi’s family friend Yanina Latorre has suggested that the Argentine legend will indeed make a comeback to Barcelona. Latorre told La Nacion, as per GOAL, “He [Messi] told me that when he finishes here [in Miami]where he is happy, he will return to Barcelona.”
When asked if Messi suggested that he could extend his stay in Miami, Latorre replied that he said, “No, my place is there.”
Bringing an end to his illustrious European football career, Lionel Messi moved to Inter Miami in July 2023. His contract with the Herons will run through the end of the 2025 MLS season. The original deal does not include an additional club option to extend through the next year. This means the upcoming season is Messi’s last for the side under his current contract.
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas had recently talked about Messi’s future at the club. “Messi is under contract through 2025; Leo and I will sit and discuss the future. As I have said before, and I will repeat it now: I fully expect that in the opening of our new stadium in 2026 and the opening of our 2026 MLS season after a trophy-laden 2025 season, Leo Messi will be our No. 10,” he told media, as per ESPN, in November last year.
Having switched to MLS, Messi has already produced some decent performances. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has already led Inter Miami to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and the league record for most points collected in one season.
Messi scored Inter Miami’s first goal of the pre-season in a match against Mexican outfit Club America. The 37-year-old scored an equaliser just three minutes after Inter Miami went down by a goal to nil in the friendly fixture, played in Nevada. Messi was substituted in the second half. Inter Miami emerged victorious having won the post-game penalty shootout.