Man Utd are laughing! Chelsea taking huge risk on £60m Garnacho

The Zen is back! Haaland stars as Khusanov stinks out the Etihad

Scandalous! Calafiori saves Arsenal after Oliver shocker

Hector Bellerin: Why pre-match rituals are so important 

Gakpo's on fire as Liverpool look ominous in PL title race

Editors' Picks

Walker blocks Goodman from following him to AC Milan

Red hot Mbappe nets hat-trick to continue electric Madrid form 

'Simply beautiful to watch' - CR7 'still in elite' at Al-Nassr

Rob & Ryan's European dream dashed as FA blocks Wrexham from joining new competition

Ronaldo seals win for Al-Nassr! Mane shines in victory

Palmeiras president 'foresaw' Endrick struggles at Real & told Perez to 'calm down'

<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":{"channelId":"92686d1e-5985-40e1-80f3-6f5a54f55b39","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>Friend of Messi claims he wants Barcelona return</li><li>Messi has one year left on Inter Miami contract</li><li>Club are desperate to keep him beyond 2025</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'My place is there' - Lionel Messi tells family friend he 'will return to Barcelona' after MLS stint with Inter Miami

Champions League

Barcelona

Atalanta

Club Friendlies

Universitario de Deportes

Inter Miami CF

<p>Messi has one year remaining on his deal in Miami, who he has inspired to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-leagues-cup-inter-miami/bltf6d2824ff3aebc76" target="_blank">Leagues Cup</a> and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-have-won-supporter-shield-now-real-journey-begins/bltdbea67e6b1deb7b5" target="_blank">Supporters Shield</a> glory since his arrival in 2023. However, family friend Yanina Latorre has suggested that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will not extend with the club and instead opt to return to Barcelona, where he made his name as arguably the greatest footballer of all time.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi has proved a hit in MLS, leading his side to the 2024 playoffs as well as those two trophies. Whether in a playing capacity or not, though, returning to Barca has always seemed on the cards. The club's leading goalscorer of all time <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/why-has-lionel-messi-left-barcelona-argentina-stars-camp-nou-departure-explained/70h6eccvmujk1bem6dz3mxjty" target="_blank">was forced to leave for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021</a> due to their financial mismanagement, but that is unlikely to be the end of the story.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Latorre told <a href="https://www.lanacion.com.ar/espectaculos/antonela-roccuzzo-revelo-que-le-dijo-lionel-messi-sobre-el-wandagate-nid23012025/" target="_blank"><em>La Nacion</em></a>: "He [Messi] told me that when he finishes here [in Miami], where he is happy, he will return to Barcelona." Latorre was also asked if Messi has indicated that he could still extend his stay in Miami, to which she claims he replied: "No, my place is there." Speaking at the end of 2024, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said on the situation: "Leo and I will sit down to discuss the future. I fully expect that in the opening of our new stadium in 2026 and the opening of our 2026 MLS season after a trophy-laden 2025 season, that Leo Messi will be our No. 10."</p>

WHAT LATORRE SAID

<p>A return to Barcelona as a player could prove problematic for Messi, considering <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/barcelona-risk-financial-meltdown-despite-kit-deal-nike/bltece087da81d72526" target="_blank">the financial issues that continue to plague the club</a>, though he would undoubtedly receive a hero's welcome. An ambassadorial role may be more likely for the Argentinian, who for now is preparing for what could be his last campaign in MLS.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI AND INTER MIAMI?

'My place is there' - Lionel Messi tells family friend he 'will return to Barcelona' after MLS stint with Inter Miami | Goal.com

A friend of Lionel Messi claims the Inter Miami star has decided to return to Barcelona when his contract with the MLS club ends.

&apos;My place is there&apos; - Lionel Messi tells family friend he &apos;will return to Barcelona&apos; after MLS stint with Inter Miami

Next matches