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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine left Camp Nou in 2021</li><li>Has contract extension option in Miami</li><li>Not expected to rejoin La Liga giants</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lionel Messi return to Barcelona branded 'impossible' with football icon more likely to end career in MLS by signing contract extension at Inter Miami

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<p>Journalist Alex Candal, who was the first to report on <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/david-beckham-reveals-why-lionel-messi-agreed-mls-move-inter-miami-dream-argentine-goat/blt4512ac37b62ab713" target="_blank">Messi’s stunning switch to the United States</a> as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner linked up with Inter Miami, has claimed that the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-back-barcelona-sensational-transfer-claim-argentine-superstar-contract-mls-inter-miami/blt290b4c68ed9e7e34#cs1c0bf496ed405092" target="_blank">Argentine superstar “can’t leave football without playing at the new Camp Nou”</a>.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>That has led to fresh talk of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-sensational-barcelona-return-this-year-inter-miami-contract-trigger-mls-transfer-clause/bltfa627e3e749f554f" target="_blank">Messi retracing steps to Catalunya in late 2025</a>. He is into the final year of his contract in Florida, but has the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-stay-inter-miami-2026-happy-claim-alexis-mac-allister-argentina-international-future-mls-world-cup-trophy-defence/blte1763b48093403e0" target="_blank">option for a 12-month extension</a> that would cover a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-will-make-another-world-cup-aged-39-if-he-wants-to-argentina-inter-miami-2026/bltb5aa3ea2e511c168" target="_blank">World Cup title defence next summer</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Respected journalist <a href="https://x.com/GuillemBalague/status/1894852750116045300" target="_blank"><em>Guillem Balague</em></a> claims there is no chance of Messi heading back to Barca any time soon, with the expectation in America being that he will trigger a 2026 clause. Balague said in response to the latest Messi gossip: “Couple of things on this story.</p><p>“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.”</p>

WHAT GUILLEM BALAGUE SAID

<p>Joan Laporta was Barca president when Messi severed ties with the Liga giants in 2021. He had been promised a new contract, but the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/barcelona-hoped-messi-would-play-for-free-as-laporta-discusses-contract-talks-and-koemans-future/inc285ai0xr21cwyyb1uwxwzu" target="_blank">finances were never there</a> and the South American ended up moving to Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent. His former Bacra and PSG team-mate <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-back-barcelona-why-sensational-transfer-could-happen-brazilian-last-dance-europe-santos/bltab27e186ad0ae37a" target="_blank">Neymar is also seeing a second stint with the Blaugrana speculated on</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Lionel Messi return to Barcelona branded 'impossible' with football icon more likely to end career in MLS by signing contract extension at Inter Miami | Goal.com

There has been more speculation regarding a potential return to Barcelona for Lionel Messi, but such a move from MLS has been branded “impossible”.

Lionel Messi return to Barcelona branded &apos;impossible&apos; with football icon more likely to end career in MLS by signing contract extension at Inter Miami

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