August 8, 2021, BARCELONA, BARCELONA, SPAIN: Lionel Leo Messi attends during his press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz to talk about his departure from FC Barcelona, Barca at Camp Nou stadium on August 08, 2021, in Barcelona, Spain BARCELONA SPAIN - ZUMAa181 20210808_zaa_a181_017 Copyright: xMarcxGonzalezxAlomax
Footage which will no doubt bring a collective smile to the faces of Barcelona supporters the world over has come to the fore on Thursday.
This comes after the club’s greatest-ever player was spotted signing a Blaugrana jersey.
Lionel Messi is for his part currently enjoying a trip back to Spain. Afforded a couple of days off amid Inter Miami’s busy MLS schedule, the 39-year-old has travelled to Asturias.
He is set to receive the prestigious 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.
Upon word surfacing of Messi’s presence in Asturias, fans and neutrals alike flooded the streets, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
A select group of fans were lucky enough to enjoy direct exchanges with Messi, with one such individual having secured for himself a memorable piece of memorabilia in the process.
As showcased in the footage below, whilst signing autographs, the Argentine at one point penned his trademark signature on the jersey of his former employers, Barcelona:
🤩 El momento en el que Leo Messi ha desatado la locura en Oviedo acercándose a firmar a sus fans 🙌🏼
😅 ¡Hasta en el brazo! ✍🏼
📻 @DeportesCopeA pic.twitter.com/YUH2gr2OTc
— DeportesCOPEAsturias (@DeportesCopeA) October 22, 2026
Conor Laird – GSFN