Argentine Star Hopes for Future Role After Emotional Visit to Former Home Stadium
BARCELONA, Spain: Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi made an emotional return to Barcelona’s newly revamped Camp Nou stadium on Monday, later expressing his deep desire to one day return to the club where he spent 21 years of his career.
The 38-year-old Argentine, who is currently playing for Inter Miami, visited the stadium just days after it officially reopened following a major redevelopment project. The visit marked a poignant moment for the player who left the Catalan side in 2021 due due to the club’s financial inability to retain him.
Messi, Barcelona’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances, shared his feelings on Instagram, emphasizing his connection to the stadium, “Last night, I returned to a place that I miss with all my heart. A place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel a thousand times like the happiest person in the world,” the World Cup winner wrote.
“I hope that one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do.”
The sentiment suggests Messi harbors hopes for a non-playing role at the club in the future, addressing the lack of a proper farewell when he left for Paris St Germain (PSG) in 2021. Barcelona responded quickly on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “You’re always welcome at your home, Leo.”
During his tenure with Barcelona, which began when he joined the youth academy at age 13, Messi won a staggering 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions League crowns, and three Club World Cups.
Messi currently plays for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, having recently extended his contract there in October. He has previously stated that the MLS club would likely be his last as a professional player.
The Camp Nou was closed for renovations for 895 days before reopening on Friday with an open training session attended by 21,795 fans.
