Barcelona president Joan Laporta has dismissed speculation linking Lionel Messi with a return to the club, insisting there are no plans to re-sign the Argentine superstar.
Messi, who left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 after the club failed to renew his contract, currently plays for Inter Miami in the United States. Reports had suggested that the 38-year-old might seek a short-term move back to Europe during the MLS off-season to maintain his fitness.
However, Laporta told Radio Catalunya that such rumours are unfounded.
“His departure wasn’t as we wanted. But out of the utmost respect for Messi and everyone at the club, for me to feed speculation that is not realistic is not appropriate,” he said.
Laporta added that while Messi remains an icon of the club, there has been no contact regarding a potential comeback.
“I didn’t know he was coming, but Camp Nou is his home. They told me what happened. It was a nice gesture. He had just finished dinner and felt like coming with some friends,” Laporta noted.
Messi, who spent over two decades at Barcelona and became the club’s all-time top scorer, remains deeply admired by the fans, but Laporta’s remarks suggest the chapter between the two sides is now firmly closed.
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