Lionel Messi reportedly tells family friend he will return to Barcelona: ‘My place is there’

Lionel Messi could still return to Barcelona, a family friend hinted while revealing what the Inter Miami forward said about his future at the Major League Soccer (MLS) club. Messi joined Miami in 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain, where he had played for two seasons since 2021.

Messi had played for Barcelona and their youth teams all his life before leaving for France’s PSG in 2021 as the La Liga side was unable to renew his contract due to financial issues.

After winning the Ligue 1 twice at PSG, he made his way to Inter Miami in the USA, helping the club win the Leagues Cup in 2023 and Supporters’ Shield last year. Messi has a contract with Miami till 2025 with reportedly an option to extend it till 2026.

With just one more year left on his contract, naturally, the rumour mills of the footballing world are working overtime, speculating what would be the next move of the 2022 World Cup winner.

Messi wants Barcelona returns?

Amid all the speculation, a family friend of Messi, Yanina Latorre has hinted that the star striker may return to Barcelona and not opt to extend his contract with Inter Miami.

“He [Messi] told me that when he finishes here [in Miami], where he is happy, he will return to Barcelona,” Latorre told La Nacion