Lionel Messi could play one-off game for Barcelona NEXT YEAR despite World Cup winner's Inter Miami transfer | The Sun
LIONEL MESSI could appear in a Barcelona shirt one final time next year.
The Argentine legend, 36, was heavily linked with a return to the Spanish giants this summer after it was confirmed he would be leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
But Barcelona failed to ensure Messi he would be able to register due to their financial issues.
He then turned to David Beckham's MLS side – signing a two-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months.
Yet there is still a chance Messi could feature for Barcelona in 2024.
That's because the president of the LaLiga champions, Joan Laporta, has claimed he could play a one-off match when the Nou Camp re-opens.
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Barcelona will move to the Lluis Companys Stadium in Montjuic next season as renovations begin at their regular home.
They will then return to the Nou Camp with a reduced capacity for the 2024/25 campaign, before a full attendance the following season.
And Laporta believes the first game back in the huge stadium could see Messi return to the club.
Speaking to TV3, he said: "Barca will always be his home.
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"I met with them [Messi's representatives] to make a tribute. The opening day of the Spotify Camp Nou would be an excellent date."
Barcelona were disappointed to miss out on Messi after Inter Miami sealed his signature.
But Laporta was graceful when asked about failing to secure the World Cup winner.
He said: "Messi wanted to return to Barca.
"He had a very tough period in Paris. His father told me he didn’t want to have this pressure. We, the Cules, respect him.
"May he do very well in Miami."
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