"It is our home" - Lionel Messi opens up on potential return to Barcelona in future

Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has opened up about potentially returning to Barcelona to reside in the city. The Argentina international has a deep connection with the Spanish city, given that his best years in football came with the Blaugrana.

The 37-year-old attacker joined the Catalan outfit's youth team in 2000 and went on to remain at the club till the summer of 2021. Eventually, he moved on to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) that year on a free transfer.

Since his departure, fans have continued to speculate as to whether the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner could return to Camp Nou. While it looks unlikely that Messi will feature in a match once again for Barcelona, he may choose to spend his post-retirement life there.

Speaking in a recent interview to 3Cat, he said (via @AlbicelesteTalk/@FabrizioRomano on X):

"My kids were born here. I’ve spent my whole life living there. I feel I belong to Barcelona. My family and I always think about the possibility of returning to live there one day”.

“My children, my wife and I miss our life there a lot. We miss our friends”.

He added:

"You never know what will happen in life, but our intention is to live in Barcelona because it is our home."

Messi made 778 appearances across competitions for the Blaugrana, bagging 672 goals and 303 assists in the process. He won the La Liga title on 10 occasions while lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy four times, among other honors with the La Liga giants.

If the former PSG man is to return to Catalunya after retirement, that moment may not be too far. Currently, Messi plies his trade for Inter Miami in the MLS, where he's contracted till December 2025.

---

When former Barcelona star Lionel Messi said Inter Miami will be his last club

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi's retirement could become a reality fairly soon, with the Argentine icon having previously confirmed that Inter Miami will be the last club he ever plays for.

The left-footed genius joined the Herons in the summer of 2023 from PSG and has made 39 appearances across competitions since then. Speaking in an interview with ESPN Argentina in June earlier this year, Messi said:

"It's (Inter Miami) going to be my last club."

Messi has been extremely impactful at Inter Miami, having scored 34 goals and bagged 18 assists so far. His team finished top of the Eastern Conference standings in the MLS this season.