Messi could return to Barca on loan in 2025.
A shocking piece of information is circulating from Spain: Lionel Messi could return to Barcelona in 2025.
According to El Nacional, the Argentine superstar could rejoin his former club on loan after the 2025 MLS season ends. Messi is currently in the final year of his contract with Inter Miami, despite having an option to extend it until 2026.
Inter Miami is reportedly keen to keep Messi, who is aiming to help Argentina defend their 2026 World Cup title. Playing in the US would give him an advantage in preparing for the tournament. However, if Messi stays in Miami, he will have completed two full seasons in MLS, thus qualifying for a loan transfer during the offseason. This could create an opportunity for him to return to Barcelona.
Messi's return to Barca could follow a similar scenario to that of Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane, who were loaned out from MLS to play in Europe during the mid-season break. Barca have never hidden their desire to bring Messi back to Camp Nou. Although this was once considered unlikely, given the strained relationship between Messi and the club in 2021, a loan return in 2025 is still possible. This could allow Messi to further improve his record of 672 goals for the Catalan giants.