Lamine Yamal awaits Lionel Messi: Could Barcelona lure Inter Miami star back ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup?

As speculation swirls, fans of the club are clinging to the possibility of a fairytale ending—one that could bring Messi back to Barcelona just in time for the 2026 World Cup.

It’s been four years since Lionel Messi bid an emotional farewell to Barcelona, but the dream of seeing him wear the Blaugrana shirt once more refuses to fade. As speculation swirls, fans of the club are clinging to the possibility of a fairytale ending—one that could bring Messi back to Barcelona just in time for the 2026 World Cup.

In recent months, discussions surrounding Messi’s future have intensified. The 38-year-old legend is currently under contract with Inter Miami until December 31, 2025, a deal that has so far seen him bring global attention to Major League Soccer. However, there’s growing buzz that this may not be the final chapter of his illustrious career.

According to multiple reports, including an update by ESPN Argentina’s Esteban Edul, Messi is “considering the idea of leaving MLS six months before the 2026 World Cup” in order to join a more competitive league and ensure he’s in peak condition for what could be his final international tournament.

“His contract ends in December 2025, and as of now, talks about an extension with Inter Miami are on hold,” Edul said. This pause in negotiations leaves the door ajar for a potential return to Europe—and, inevitably, speculation has returned to Barcelona.

Could the return happen at Barcelona?

While there are no concrete negotiations yet, Barcelona reportedly dreams of seeing Messi share a pitch with 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, a talent often compared to Messi himself for his precocious skill and creativity. According to beIN SPORTS and various Spanish outlets, club executives are exploring the idea of a six-month reunion, which could see Messi return from January to June 2026.

This would not only serve as a preparation for the World Cup, but would also coincide with the reopening of the renovated Camp Nou—a symbolic moment for both the club and its greatest ever player. “For Messi, it would be a homecoming to the club that defined his career. For Lamine Yamal, it would be a chance to play alongside his idol,” Spanish sources have noted.

The three obstacles that remain

As much as fans crave this reunion, the path is far from clear. Several key issues stand in the way: Barcelona’s ongoing financial limitations under LaLiga’s strict financial fair play regulations. There is also Inter Miami’s interest in renewing Messi’s contract and keeping him in the United States for marketing and competitive reasons. Eventually, the Argentine’s own silence on a return to European soccer, paired with his previously fractured relationship with Barca president Joan Laporta.

“As long as Laporta is president, Messi isn’t considering a return,” journalist Guillem Balague, who is close to Messi’s camp, stated earlier this year.