Messi Shares His Desire to Return to Barcelona Following World Cup Triumph
Lionel Messi recently opened up about his life and career, especially after achieving the pinnacle of football by winning the World Cup with Argentina. He expressed how his dream now is to return “home.” Messi, at 37 years old, is savoring the twilight years of his legendary career with Inter Miami, where he’s no longer in the European limelight but is focused on helping elevate the team led by David Beckham.
In an engaging interview with the YouTube channel Simplemente Fútbol, Messi reflected on various aspects of his life, including his time at FC Barcelona and his longing to return to the club. He also shared his thoughts on the current state of Barça and praised emerging talents like Lamine Yamal.
Messi, having achieved more titles than any player in history throughout his time with Barça, PSG, Inter Miami, and the Argentine national team, expressed immense gratitude for his accomplishments. “Being able to say I’ve accomplished everything in football is something truly special. I’ve been fortunate to win it all—both with my clubs and with the national team. As time goes on, I appreciate that even more. I’m grateful for everything,” he said.
He also recalled the emotionally challenging period when Tito Vilanova, his former coach, was grappling with illness. Messi shared, “What happened to Tito deeply affected us. We knew he was suffering, and that had an impact on the team. It was a tough season in every sense of the word.”
Reflecting on his early days at Barcelona, Messi fondly remembered how the first-team players warmly welcomed him. “The first locker room I entered was exceptional. I’m so thankful for how everyone embraced me—Ronaldinho, Deco, Sylvinho, and of course, Xavi, Iniesta, and Puyol. It was an amazing group,” he recalled. He also emphasized the importance of Pep Guardiola in his development, explaining that Guardiola brought a level of understanding and detail to the game that changed football forever.
After winning the World Cup, Messi had hoped to return to Barcelona, but circumstances didn’t allow it. “After the World Cup, I couldn’t picture myself at any European club other than Barça. My goal was to go home, where it all began. Unfortunately, it couldn’t happen,” he reflected, which ultimately led him to make the family decision to move to the U.S.
Despite his new life in Miami, Messi made it clear that his competitive spirit remains strong. “I’ll keep competing. That drive will never leave me. I love to win and to compete,” he asserted. As his contract runs through the end of 2025, he acknowledged that thoughts of the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. and Canada are very much on his mind, saying, “This year will be key in deciding whether I’ll play in the World Cup. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about it.”
