Argentine football legend Lionel Messi is said to be keen on making a return to Barcelona after his contract with Inter Miami expires.

After parting ways with the Catalan giants in the summer of 2021, the 37-year-old footballer continued his career in France and the United States.

He joined Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons, where he scored a total of 32 goals and provided 35 assists in 75 appearances across all competitions.

In mid-2023, Messi transferred to Inter Miami. Since joining the MLS club, the 2022 World Cup winner has netted 34 goals and recorded 18 assists in 39 appearances across different competitions.

Reports from Spain reveal that Messi still has a strong desire to return to Barcelona after his time abroad. His contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the end of 2025. Relevo reports that Messi plans to make a return to Barcelona once his contract ends, driven by his deep affection for the city and the club that made him a household name.

Barcelona Ready to Welcome Messi Back

Even though Lionel Messi will miss this season's Champions League quarter-finals after Paris Saint-Germain was knocked out by Real Madrid, he remains one of the top goal scorers in this round of the competition. Messi has scored a total of 12 goals in the Champions League quarter-finals during his time with Barcelona. In line with the same reports, Messi is said to still feel that Barcelona is his home.

Barcelona is reportedly eager to welcome back their iconic player, despite the rise of promising talents like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, whose recent performances have shown significant improvement. Messi’s possible return would bring an extra spark to the club’s already strong and competitive lineup.

However, the situation may shift as Inter Miami, Messi's current club, is determined to extend his contract. The MLS team is eager to keep the Argentine superstar at the club, hoping he will agree to a contract extension that would keep him in Florida at least until the end of 2026. This is especially significant as the United States will host the World Cup in 2026, and the club is in the process of building a new stadium to accommodate the growing demands of the sport.

Although Barcelona would certainly welcome Messi’s return, the ongoing discussions between him and Inter Miami indicate that his future is still uncertain, with both parties aiming to secure his commitment for the years ahead. It remains to be seen whether he will return to the club where he became a global icon or remain in Miami to contribute to the growth of soccer in the United States.

At present, Messi’s legacy at Barcelona remains firmly intact, and his possible return could generate immense excitement for both the club and its supporters.