LION KING
Lionel Messi ‘tells family and friends he will return to Barcelona’ as David Beckham makes shock admission
A return to his former club could be made complicated due to off-pitch issues
LIONEL MESSI has set his sights on a sensational return to Barcelona.
The 37-year-old ended his two-decade spell with Barcelona in 2021 and subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
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After two years in France he left Europe to sign for MLS giants Inter Miami in a huge free transfer and has since netted 34 goals and provided 18 assists in just 39 appearances.
But with just one year left on his current deal, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is looking to the future.
Messi recently told a family friend that he wants to complete a sensational return to Barcelona.
Yanina Latorre told La Nacion: "He [Messi] told me that when he finishes here [Miami], where he is happy, he will return to Barcelona."
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The Argentina captain also allegedly rejected the possibility of extending his stay in the USA and said: "No, my place is there."
A return as a player could be made complicated due to Barcelona's ongoing money issues, so he could take up an ambassadorial role.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham also recently admitted that Messi only sees his future in Spain.
Speaking at the Economic Forum in Davos, the England legend said: "I would like Messi to live in Miami when he retires, but Leo told me that he only thinks about living near the Camp Nou.
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"There is no player who loves Barcelona as much as he does.
"You can see the Barca crest on his leg and even on his water bottle."
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While Beckham did not disclose exactly when Messi could go back to Barcelona, his Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas previously revealed that he will sit down with the forward to discuss his future.
Mas said: "I fully expect that when our new stadium opens in 2026, Leo Messi will be our number 10."
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