Will Lionel Messi Return to Barcelona? Club President Dismisses Speculation on Icon

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta dismissed rumors that Lionel Messi's return to Camp Nou means the Inter Miami star is eyeing a reunion with his former La Liga club.

"His departure wasn't as we wanted," Laporta said in an appearance on Catalunya Radio (translation h/t ESPN's Sam Marsden). "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."

Laporta's comments come days after Messi posted a photo at Barcelona's Camp Nou.

Messi wrote in the caption (translation h/t Marsden) that he hoped "one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a play, as I never got to do."

Messi spent 17 seasons with Barcelona before leaving the club for Ligue 1's Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the 2021-22 season.

His return to Spain took place ahead of the Argentinian national team's upcoming friendly against Angola in Alicante.

"I didn't know he was coming, but Camp Nou is his home," Laporta said about Messi's visit, per Marsden. "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."

The Barcelona president reiterated that he wants FC Barcelona to hold a tribute for Messi once the ongoing renovations at Camp Nou are finished. Laporta has previously projected construction will be complete by the end of 2026.

"It's only fair that Leo should have the most beautiful tribute in the world," Laporta said. "When the stadium is finished, we'll have a capacity of 105,000 fans, so we'd like that."

Barcelona attempted to re-sign Messi in 2021 but said in a statement the club was unable to finalize the contract due to financial restrictions imposed by La Liga.

Messi went on to play two seasons in France before making the jump to North America by signing with Inter Miami ahead of the 2023 MLS season.

Inter Miami, which is preparing to play in its own newly-constructed stadium in 2026, announced on Oct. 23 that Messi had been re-signed through the 2028 MLS season. That contract is set to keep Messi in Miami through his age-41 season and raises the possibility he will ultimately consider retiring in the MLS.

Whatever Messi's future decisions, he will remain a Barcelona icon after helping lead the club to 10 La Liga championships and four Champions League titles in his 17 seasons.