Lionel Messi is under contract with Inter Miami until the end of 2025, but speculation is already growing about a possible return to FC Barcelona just ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Reports Suggest a Strategic and Emotional Farewell at Camp Nou

According to international media, Messi has told those close to him that he’d like to return “when I finish in Miami… my place is there,” referring to Barcelona. The potential comeback could coincide with the reopening of the renovated Camp Nou, serving as both a tribute to his legacy and a competitive send-off.

The most likely scenario gaining traction is a six-month deal from January to June 2026, either as a loan or a short-term contract. It would be a symbolic but strategic move—allowing Messi to close out his professional career at his boyhood club while also preparing for what could be his final World Cup with Argentina.

What Are the Main Obstacles?

• Financial: Barcelona remains under LaLiga’s financial fair play restrictions.
• Contractual: Though Messi’s current deal with Inter Miami ends in December 2025, the club is expected to offer a renewal.
• Player’s stance: While those close to Messi have expressed interest, the player himself has been cautious about making a firm commitment to returning to European football.

Both Sides Would Benefit From the Reunion

For Barcelona, bringing Messi back would symbolize the start of a new era, reuniting with their all-time icon for the grand reopening of Camp Nou. For Messi, it would be the perfect setting to prepare for the 2026 World Cup—in a familiar environment, under top-level demands, and surrounded by fans who have followed him for two decades.

At this stage, it remains a real but unofficial possibility. Preliminary conversations between Barcelona, Messi’s camp, and Inter Miami are reportedly underway, but nothing has been confirmed.

The ideal scenario: Messi returns to Barça for the first half of 2026, and then heads into the World Cup with Argentina—potentially the final chapter of a legendary career.