Lionel Messi just said the quiet part out loud about his Inter Miami future | OneFootball

Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi is the greatest player yet to have played the game of soccer. He's won practically every trophy available, most of them more than once, and yet one thing is lacking from his career.

No, I'm not talking about an MLS Cup (although I'm hopeful he'll remedy that lack in December). I'm talking about closure.

Four years ago, Messi and FC Barcelona ended their 21-year relationship amicably and, to many fans, tragically. It wasn't what the player or the team wanted, but circumstances forced their separation. After two unsatisfying seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi stunned the soccer world by signing a contract with Inter Miami CF and moved his family to South Florida; many pundits had predicted a reunion with Blaugrana as soon as it became apparent the GOAT would leave France.

Surprise post shares Messi's loyalty and love for Barcelona

Messi and his family seem happy in Miami, and the captain just signed a contract extension through 2028. But he's never hidden his love for and loyalty to Barcelona, and rumors link him with some sort of return to Catalan every few months. But an Instagram post Messi made early Monday has fueled speculation that he will play at the renovated Camp Nou.

As a diehard Inter Miami fan since before Messi and Friends catapulted Los Garzas into the global spotlight, I should be concerned about this development. I should moan about the GOAT's new contract, the trophies not won, the unrealized potential of a superstar collection of talent...but my feelings are amazingly clear: If Messi wants to reunite with Barcelona, he should.

Ideally, he'll wait until after the 2026 season. Win MLS Cup (again?), win Champions League, win a third consecutive MVP, and set the Herons' tone at Miami Freedom Park... and would it be too much to ask that he win a second World Cup with Argentina next summer? Then sail back to Spain and don the blue and garnet, spend a season rewriting the final chapter of his Barcelona career.

That's the fairytale ending, the ending a player of his magnitude deserves. Regardless, Lionel Messi deserves to finish his playing career on his own terms. I plan to enjoy every moment I can of his wearing the Pink & Black, then root for his continued success.