Lionel Messi set for emotional return to Barcelona

Lionel Messi is heading back to Barcelona, but this time, it’s not to play. 

The legendary forward has received a personal invitation from Barcelona president Joan Laporta to attend the club’s 125th-anniversary celebration. 

This invite marks a significant moment as it seeks to heal the strained relationship between Messi and the club after his emotional departure in 2021.

Messi began his journey with Barcelona when he was 13, arriving from Argentina to join the famous La Masia academy in 2000. 

It didn’t take long for him to take the football world by surprise. 

Messi made his senior debut under coach Frank Rijkaard in 2004 and quickly rose to become not just Barcelona’s biggest star, but one of the greatest players of the game. 

He stayed at the club for over two decades, winning numerous titles and six Ballon d‍‍`Ors while playing for Barcelona, marking his name in the world of football.

However, things took a wrong turn in the summer of 2021. When Due to severe financial problems the club failed to renew Messi’s contract, despite the promises made by president Laporta. 

This led to Messi’s heart-breaking departure to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), leaving behind a bitter relationship with the club president. 

That relation hasn’t fully recovered even after three years, but Laporta is determined to move forward by extending a personal invitation.

As reported by Catalunya Radio‍‍`s Tot Costa, Laporta has made contacts with Messi, inviting him to be a part of the club’s prestigious anniversary event at the Liceu Theatre on 29 November. 

The gala is set to be studded with stars, where Barcelona legends like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, and Pep Guardiola are expected to be present.

The report suggests that Messi is likely to appear in this occasion, making his first return to the club since leaving in 2021. 

He missed Iniesta’s retirement event last month because of his responsibilities with the Argentina national team, so this would be a special and much awaited homecoming.

In addition to Messi, another known face, former Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal, is also expected to attend the event. 

This could lead to an interesting reunion between Messi and Van Gaal, who got involved in a clash during Argentina’s World Cup quarter-final match against the Netherlands in 2022. 

Their on-field tension and aggression in Qatar made headlines, so all eyes will be on them if they come across each other at the celebration and if they do then how they will react to that.

Messi is free during that time for him to make the trip to his former club. 

His current team, Inter Miami, was knocked out of the MLS playoffs by Atlanta United earlier this month, and with no games until preseason begins, Messi has enough time to travel. 

Not only is he expected at the gala, but there’s also a possibility that he will attend Barcelona’s match against Las Palmas at the Estadi Olímpic which is scheduled for the next day.

For Barcelona fans, Messi’s return, even if it’s just for a celebration, will be an emotional moment. 

Many still see him as the heart and soul of the club, and his appearance at such an important and grand celebration will surely remind everyone of the incredible moments he created and the magic he showed at Camp Nou.

With the 125th anniversary set to bring together some of the biggest names in the club’s history, Messi’s attendance would make the event even more special, indicating that perhaps the wounds of his departure are starting to heal gradually. 

After all, Messi’s legacy at Barcelona is forever, and this could be the first step towards reuniting the legend with the club he called home for over 20 years.