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3 Ways How Lionel Messi Can Return to Camp Nou

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Nov 10, 2025 11:25 AM ET

Since Lionel Messi departed Barcelona in 2021, the club hasn’t been the same. There’s been a hole in the heart of Catalonia that only the Argentine No. 10 can fill.

Though Barcelona has since captured two La Liga trophies, won the Copa del Rey and lifted the Spanish Super Cup, a massive piece of the club’s soul was lost when the greatest player in Blaugrana history walked through the exit door.

Messi was pushed out of Camp Nou. His departure was mishandled due to internal tensions within the club, combined with the financial pressure of Barcelona's bloated wage bill being met with the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you ask any diehard Culer, Messi never looked right in the blue and red of Paris Saint-Germain or the hot pink of Inter Miami. He was supposed to be a one-club man from start to finish.

The rift between Messi and Barcelona president Joan Laporta appears to be healed. One day, Messi will return to Barcelona and receive the hero's return that his storybook career richly deserved.

Messi Makes Surprise Visit To Camp Nou

On Sunday, Messi returned to Camp Nou for a late-night visit. Apparently, the club was completely unaware of his surprise appearance, according to Diario Sport.

Messi posted photos on Instagram from his visit while the stadium is undergoing renovations.

“Last night I returned to a place I miss with all my heart,” Messi posted. “A place where I was immensely happy, where you all made me feel a thousand times over like the happiest person in the world. I hope I can return someday, and not just to say goodbye as a player, which I never got to do…”

View this post on Instagram

Undoubtedly, there will be a moment when Messi gets a tremendous "welcome home" reception at Camp Nou. But when will that special moment take place?

1) Friendly Match Between Barcelona and Inter Miami

It’s possible that Barcelona will organize a friendly against Inter Miami to welcome back Messi and several of his former Barca teammates. Surely, there will be an occasion when Messi pulls on a Barcelona kit once again in a testimonial match.

Messi, defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets, left-back Jordi Alba and striker Luis Suarez enjoyed a fantastic, trophy-laden spell together at the Catalan giants.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring the team's third goal with teammates Jordi Alba #18 and Sergio Busquets #5 of Inter Miami CF during the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and D.C. United at Chase Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

With Busquets and Alba set to retire at the end of the 2025 MLS season, it would be appropriate for Camp Nou to host a friendly where Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Alba play for one half each with Barca and Inter Miami.

Laporta has kept open the possibility of staging a tribute game.

"It would be a great way to open the stadium, with 105,000 packed in and paying tribute to Leo," Laporta said last week. “Always, of course, depending on what [the Messi camp] wants. There are also presidential elections before then, but in the case I am still president, I would love that.”

2) Loan Move to Barcelona

It’s not impossible for Barcelona to engineer a short-term loan for Messi to rejoin Barcelona during the upcoming MLS winter break or future winter breaks.

Former FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (10).Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Thierry Henry enjoyed an emotional return to Arsenal in 2012 while on loan from the New York Red Bulls. David Beckham joined AC Milan for multiple loan periods during his spell with the LA Galaxy. Former Galaxy striker Robbie Keane was briefly loaned to Aston Villa.

That said, it’s unlikely that Messi will return to Barca on loan this winter. Messi has made 46 appearances in all competitions for Inter Miami this season, and the club is hoping to reach the 2025 MLS Cup Final.

At age 38, Messi will need to save his legs for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Argentina won the 2022 World Cup and is among the favorites to win the 23rd FIFA World Cup, hosted in North America.

3) Ceremonial Return

Messi never got the chance to properly say goodbye to Barca supporters upon leaving the club in 2021.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona presents his sixth Ballon d'Or to the Barcelona fans after receiving it from his three children before the Barcelona V Mallorca, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou on December 7th 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

It’s possible that Messi could be honored prior to a match as part of Camp Nou’s reopening, though that would have to come after the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs conclude. Should Inter Miami reach the MLS Cup Final, their season won’t end until Dec. 6.

Barcelona could opt to hold a special day for Messi to speak to the fans and celebrate all of his achievements over his 17-year tenure with the club.

No one is sure exactly how it will happen, but Messi will return to Barcelona someday, and it will be an emotional day for the Argentine legend and his Blaugranes supporters.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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