Why Barcelona see Lionel Messi's return as key to their future and legacy

By: Shawn
‎Barcelona are reportedly preparing to orchestrate one of football’s most emotional reunions, aiming to bring club legend Lionel Messi back in time for the grand reopening of the iconic Spotify Camp Nou in 2026.
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Barcelona plan to bring Lionel Messi back in 2026 to mark Camp Nou’s reopening, aiming for a legendary reunion with the Argentine icon.
‎Getty Images
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‎The Argentine superstar, now 37, left the Catalan giants in 2021 due to financial constraints that prevented the club from renewing his contract. Since then, Messi has continued to dazzle on the global stage, guiding Argentina to World Cup triumph in 2022 and later moving to Major League Soccer to join Inter Miami, where he has played a pivotal role in the sport's growth in the United States.
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‎According to a report from TNT Sports, Barcelona remain hopeful of reuniting with their all-time great. The club is said to be “slowly preparing” for a potential deal to bring Messi back following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aligning perfectly with the completion of renovations at Camp Nou. The stadium, currently under redevelopment, is expected to be ready by summer 2026, with the first team temporarily playing at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
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‎While the deal remains speculative and far from confirmed, insiders suggest Barcelona are willing to pursue the complex process of making the move happen. Messi's potential return would not only serve as a symbolic gesture of reconnection with the club's golden era but could also generate unprecedented global fanfare for the revamped stadium's debut.
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‎Messi’s storied tenure at Barça includes 10 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League trophies, and a record 8 Ballon d’Or awards. His comeback could become one of the most iconic moments in sports history if successfully executed.
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‎In the meantime, Messi’s focus remains on Inter Miami’s MLS campaign. The forward recently withdrew from Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil to recover fitness and is expected to return for Inter Miami’s next fixture against the Philadelphia Union.
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‎As Barcelona dream of rekindling their historic bond with Lionel Messi, fans around the world will watch closely to see whether the stars align for this ultimate homecoming.

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