Deco confirms Barcelona never considered Messi return – ‘Never been on the table’ | OneFootball

We are merely a few months away from the summer of 2026, which will mark five years since Lionel Messi tragically left Barcelona.

Since then, there has been a lot of chatter internally surrounding Messi potentially returning to Camp Nou for one last dance.

However, Barcelona sporting director Deco, who is hard at work finding new players in the transfer market, has clarified the club’s position in a recent interaction, confirming that Messi’s return was never quite on the table.

Deco’s stunning relevation about Messi

Speaking to GE (h/t Diario SPORT), Deco was asked whether or not Messi will return to Barcelona before hanging up his boots.

In response, the Barça sporting director started out by praising the Argentine, calling him the best of all time.

“This issue is complex. Much has already been said about him in the presidential campaign. His name was used all the time. Messi is the best player in Barcelona’s history; for me, the best player in the history of football or one of the best,” he said.

He vaguely implied that even though Barcelona wanted Messi to return, it was never a possibility.

“We would like football to be eternal in all aspects. There are many things that we would like to be, but they come to an end. They have a beginning, a middle and an end. Speculating about that seems a bit pointless to me,” he said.

The Portuguese then goes on to confirm that the talk of Messi’s return was never a possibility, at least since he joined as the sporting director of the club.

“This scenario of return, in reality, at least since I have been there, has never been put on the table,” he clarified.

Talk of Messi’s talk was never a topic during Deco’s tenure. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

In fact, Deco added that Messi or his entourage have never called Barcelona either, surrounding the idea of a return.

“That Leo Messi or someone around him calls and says: ‘Hey, I want to come back, I want to play’, it has not happened. All that has been a lot of rumours, many unreal things,” he added.

Deco also spoke in reference to Messi’s famous Instagram picture at Camp Nou, which took the Barcelona fandom by storm.

“He has not manifested that will; he made a post on Instagram saying that one day he would like to return, but he did not specify it. Talking about this kind of thing with a player as big as Leo makes a bit of sense if there is nothing real or concrete,” he said.

About how Messi got into the stadium, Deco revealed the version of the story he was aware of.

“I think he was with the national team and he was in the hotel, he didn’t stay at home. In the end he went out for a walk and entered Camp Nou. I think it was more or less like that, from what I understand,” he added.

Deco, who is in favour of holding a tribute match for Messi at Camp Nou, stated that it is not up to him to decide the feasibility of such an event.

“It is obvious that the day Messi has to be honoured, this is not something that depends on me,” he said.