Lionel Messi visits Camp Nou and expresses hope for a Barcelona return beyond a formal farewell
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi visited Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium Sunday and posted an emotional message hoping to return to the club someday.
November 10, 2025 - 02:33 PM ET • 2 min read
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi generated significant speculation among fans of FC Barcelona on Monday after posting an emotional message on social media following a private visit to the Camp Nou stadium.
The timing of Messi's public reflection follows recent comments made by Barcelona President Joan Laporta. Laporta had previously stated his desire to honor Messi, suggesting that a fitting way to officially inaugurate the remodeled Spotify Camp Nou would be to hold a tribute event for the legendary player. Messi's message, which explicitly mentioned returning for more than just a farewell, has been interpreted by many as a potential opening to future discussions regarding his involvement with the club after his playing career concludes.
Messi, 38, shared photos and videos of himself at the club's iconic home ground, which is currently undergoing extensive remodeling. The post, shared on Instagram, expressed deep affection for the club he left in August 2021.
"Anoche volvà a un lugar que extraño con el alma. A place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel a thousand times the happiest person in the world," Messi wrote. He then added a line that fueled hopes of a future return: "Hopefully someday I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never could…"
The visit occurred Sunday night. Messi had traveled to Spain after scoring two goals in Inter Miami's decisive 4-0 victory against Nashville in the MLS play-offs. He was en route to join the Argentina national team, which is scheduled to train in Alicante this week ahead of a friendly match in Angola on Friday. He made a brief stop in Barcelona, the city he first joined in 2000.
The nature of the visit appeared to be highly discreet. Sources indicated that the club itself was unaware that Messi was at the stadium, and images accompanying his post showed him alone inside the construction site.
Messi's departure from Barcelona in 2021 was sudden, preventing him from having a formal farewell ceremony with fans, a fact that has long resonated with supporters and the club's leadership.