Lionel Messi Responds To Barcelona Return Rumours, Confirms Failed 2023 Move

“No, no chance. Not at all”, said Lionel Messi, immediately quelling rumours of an impending return to FC Barcelona this winter following the conclusion of the Major League Soccer regular season. Reports have emerged that the Argentinian could be headed back to his former club after his current one, Inter Miami, fell short in the MLS Play-off race, reaching their season's conclusion prematurely. However, denying those rumours was the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner himself, who also confirmed that he was, indeed close to re-signing with Barcelona the previous summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. (Football News)

“I could have returned to Barcelona but it didn’t happen. It was similar to me having to leave in 2021," he said in an interview with L'Equipe. “I thought about Barça return, my life there, retiring there as I always wanted but… it was not possible”.

Messi, who has been playing for MLS side Inter Miami since the summer of 2023, collected his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or title on Monday, October 30, 2023 in Paris. The Argentinian attacker pipped Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe for the prized honour, finishing significantly ahead of the young pair. 

Quizzed about his transfer to Inter Miami and a potential future return to Europe, Messi confirmed that while there were European clubs interested in signing him in the summer, the door to Europe has closed for him. 

“I had many offers on the table this year… including multiple European clubs and Saudi Arabia," he said. “We decided to come to Miami and it is a decision we are happy with, we feel good”.

Messi added: "Yes. Thanks to God (if European football is closed for him), I had an extraordinary career in Europe and won everything I have dreamed of”. “Now that I have decided to come to USA, I don't think I will ever return to playing in Europe."