In 2021, Lionel Messi ended his 21-year tenure with Barcelona due to financial constraints preventing the registration of his new contract with La Liga. Following a two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi moved to Inter Miami upon the expiration of his contract.
Since joining Inter Miami, Messi played a pivotal role in securing the 2023 Leagues Cup shortly after his arrival in the United States. Alongside recent signings Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Messi aims to elevate Inter Miami’s status in the MLS.
Inter Miami’s pre-season schedule includes matches against Messi’s childhood club Newell’s Old Boys and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in January and February, respectively.
Amid rumors of a potential return to Barcelona, albeit in a non-traditional capacity, reports suggest plans for an exhibition match to commemorate Messi’s legacy and bid farewell. The proposed match, slated for November 29, 2024, coincides with Barcelona’s 125th anniversary, with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho reportedly linked to participate.
Responding to these reports, Barcelona president Joan Laporta expressed the club’s openness to organizing such an event at Messi’s discretion, stating, “We are open to doing it whenever he wants,” in an interview with Spanish outlet EFE.
“Messi is the best player in history, and because we respect and adore him, he, of course, deserves to be honoured in Barcelona.
“I do not know whether Messi will be honoured when we return to Spotify Camp Nou at the end of 2024 or when the stadium is completely built by June 2026.”
When asked about rumours surrounding a potential short-term loan bid for Messi during the MLS season break, Laporta stated: “I believe that this is not even allowed by FIFA.”