New Delhi: Lionel Messi may have built a new chapter of his career across Inter Miami but his heart still beats for Barca. The Inter Miami star has once
again spoken about his longing for the city and the club that shaped him into one of football’s all-time greats. In a recent chat with SPORT, he admitted he and his family constantly think about returning to live in Catalonia. A place that in his own words still feels like home.
Just a day before the interview surfaced, Messi made an unannounced visit to the Camp Nou. The quiet trip, coupled with his emotional Instagram post showing the stadium under renovation, stirred up nostalgia among fans worldwide. “Last night I returned to a place I miss with my soul,” he wrote. “A place where I was immensely happy. I hope one day I can come back – not just to say goodbye as a player.”
For the Argentine star, the connection with Barcelona runs deeper than trophies or goals. Messi said, “We miss Barcelona a lot.” He added, “My wife and I, the kids – we talk about it constantly. We have our house there, our life there. That’s where we want to be again.” It’s not just about football for him anymore; it’s about returning to a city that holds his family’s roots and memories.
🚨💙❤️ Leo Messi: “I really want to go back, that we miss Barcelona a lot, that the children continuously, and my wife, we talk about things about Barcelona, the idea of living there again”.
“We have our house, everything, so that’s what we want”, told @diariosport. pic.twitter.com/T8y97nVeYq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 11, 2025
This longing is amplified by how abruptly his two-decade journey at Barcelona ended in 2021. Messi was forced to leave because of the club’s financial crisis and his departure was one of the most emotional moments modern football has witnessed. “It was strange,” he admitted. “After spending my whole life there, I didn’t leave the way I imagined. I thought I’d say goodbye on the pitch with fans, not in tears at a press conference.”
Bonds that never faded
Even now, miles away in Miami, Messi’s world remains intertwined with Barca. Alongside former teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, now with Inter Miami he often talks the club they once dominated European football with. “We still follow everything – the results, the matches,” he said. “It’s impossible not to.”
His comment struck a chord with supporters who still see him as the heartbeat of Barcelona. While Messi continues to lead Inter Miami in the MLS, his words hint at something more than nostalgia – a quiet wish for closure, maybe even a symbolic return.
The farewell that never happened
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has previously expressed his desire to give Messi the send-off he never received. With the Camp Nou undergoing reconstruction and expected to reopen in 2026, there are talks of a tribute match or a grand farewell for Messi.
Messi’s legacy in Barcelona remains untouchable with 672 goals, 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns. But beyond the numbers it’s the connection he share with the fans that makes his story with the club timeless and close to every fans heart.
He may wear pink in Miami now but for millions, Messi will forever belong to the blue and red of Barcelona and by the sound of it, he feels the same.
