An Inter Miami official has teased whether or not Lionel Messi could face off against former club FC Barcelona in Catalonia.
The Argentine superstar infamously left the European giants three years ago after Barcelona failed to meet the financial requirements needed to extend Messi’s contract, forcing the attacker out of the club that summer.
With Messi joining PSG and two years later signing for Inter Miami, the 37-year-old forward currently looks as happy as he was during his Barcelona years, with the reigning Ballon d’Or holder finding a home in Florida where the veteran has found real success in MLS.
Yet there’s still a prospect that Messi could face off against Barcelona in the future.
Inter Miami and Messi could face Barcelona for Camp Nou re-opening
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Inter Miami’s President of Operations, Xavier Asensi, teased that Inter Miami and Messi could be the team that face Barcelona when their stadium, the Camp Nou, is ready to re-open, with the Herons official saying: “It depends on when it is, let’s talk about it.”
Messi’s return to Barcelona in any capacity has been theorized ever since the forward left Catalonia in 2021, with many fans and pundits still expecting the 37-year-old to one day come back to where it all began for the forward.
And this update from Asensi could hint towards Messi and Inter Miami making the trip to Europe next year to play against Barcelona as the first opponents of the redeveloped Camp Nou, one of the most legendary stadiums in all of sports.
Indeed, Messi once again playing at Barcelona’s famous ground and getting a real send-off from supporters would give the Argentine the closure he needs, with the forward unable to say goodbye back in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inter Miami should do all they can to make this fixture happen
Inter Miami might have been criticized earlier this year for their world-spanning pre-season tour, but when it comes to facing Barcelona, few fans and pundits will have an issue with such a friendly.
Messi playing one last time at the Camp Nou is something every soccer supporter is desperate to see before the Inter Miami star hangs up his boots for good in the years to come.
The legacy the 37-year-old has had on the sport is nothing short of generational, and Messi will be keen to play at his former home one last time with his new club in the next few seasons.