Lionel Messi makes Inter Miami contract decision amid Barcelona return rumours

Lionel Messi has reportedly made his decision on his future amid speculation he wants to return to Barcelona.

Messi, who scored a record 672 goals in 778 games for the club, ended his glittering spell with the Blaugrana in 2021 after financial issues and La Liga restrictions made it difficult to sign him to a new deal.

He therefore became a free agent and announced his departure in an emotional press conference, before signing for Paris Saint-Germain and winning two Ligue One titles.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner made a game-changing move to David Beckham's Inter Miami in the MLS in 2023, taking the league to new heights on and off the pitch.

The 37-year-old has scored 36 goals in 42 games for the Herons, captaining them to the Leagues Cup and MLS Supporters' Shield.

Messi's lucrative deal runs until 31 December 2025 but rumours about him heading back to Barcelona have been rife.

Journalist Alex Candal, the first person to report on his decision to move across the pond, claimed Messi is desperate to re-sign for Barcelona and play in the revamped Nou Camp when it is completed.

It was reported that Messi declared: "I can’t stop without having first played at the new Camp Nou."

However, Messi's former biographer Guillem Balague has responded to the reports and stresses that Messi returning to Barca is more or less "impossible" while Joan Laporta is the president of the club.

Lionel Messi is set to stay put at Inter Miami. Image: Getty

With a number of issues between Messi and Laporta, it's said Messi has no intention for a second stint and is more likely to stay put in Miami.

“Couple of things on this story," Balague wrote on X.

“Messi contract ends up at the end of the season. Messi has got no intention to return to Barcelona. I would say it is impossible while Laporta is in charge . Quite likely, Inter Miami will convince him to remain at the club.”

Flanked by former Barcelona colleagues in manager Javier Mascherano and teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Messi will lead Inter into the all-new 32-team Club World Cup in the United States in the summer.

The club want Messi in their ranks by the time 2026 rolls around and the club moves to Miami Freedom Park, a 131-acre development which will include a new 25,000 capacity stadium, as well as an entertainment district, sports facilities and a hotel.