Lionel Messi made a secret trip to see the newly renovated Camp Nou over the weekend and speculation has been simmering about a return to Barcelona in the January transfer window
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 10: FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta looks on during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Como1907 at Estadi Johan Cruyff on August 10, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Joan Laporta has addressed the speculation(Image: Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
View Image
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has poured cold water on speculation linking Lionel Messi with a stunning return to the club. Messi, 38, left Barca in 2021 after failing to agree a new contract, moving to Paris Saint-Germain for a two-year spell.
The Argentine now plays for MLS side Inter Miami but their season ends in December and the league doesn't restart until the spring. Messi will therefore have a gap in his schedule and wants to maintain his match sharpness ahead of the World Cup.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who signed a new three-year deal at Miami last month, hinted at a return to Barcelona after secretly visiting the newly renovated Camp Nou at the weekend. But Laporta has described a short-term move as 'not realistic'.
"His departure wasn't as we wanted," Laporta admitted on Catalunya Radio. "But out of the utmost respect for Messi and everyone at the club, for me to feed speculation that is not realistic is not appropriate."
The Barca chief added: "I didn't know he was coming, but Camp Nou is his home. They told me what happened. It was a nice gesture. He had just finished dinner and felt like coming with some friends.
"It was a spontaneous act in the spirt of Barcelona. It's only fair that Leo should have the most beautiful tribute in the world. When the stadium is finished, we'll have a capacity of 105,000 fans, so we'd like that."
It was in an emotional Instagram post from the Camp Nou that Messi hinted at his desire to play for the La Liga champions once again. "Last night I returned to a place I have missed with all my soul," he wrote.
"A place where I was extraordinarily happy, where a thousand times you made me feel like 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."
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Messi still has blaugrana running through his veins and recently told Dario Sport: "It's (Barcelona) spectacular. Everything I hear about Barcelona, about the people, about a time like that we lived through, always fills me with a bit of nostalgia. And a lot of emotion."
After the international break, during which Argentina will play a friendly in Angola, Messi's focus will shift to the MLS play-offs. Miami travel to Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference semi-finals next Sunday, November 23.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image