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WHAT HAPPENED?
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi spent 21 memorable years on Barca’s books, having first linked up with them as a teenager in 2000. He shattered countless records while in Catalunya, with 672 senior goals recorded through 778 appearances.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi departed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and is now part of the ambitious project at MLS side Inter Miami. He is under contract in the United States for at least another 12 months, with any return to Barcelona only expected to be made once the all-time great hangs up his boots and heads into retirement.
DID YOU KNOW?
Barca will, however, continue to hold a special place in the heart of Messi and his young family. His sons have bought into that fandom, while gracing the academy ranks in Miami, with a Yamal jersey being donned when heading out for a bike ride with their famous father and mother Antonela Roccuzzo.
WHAT NEXT?
Messi has admitted that he intends to head back to Barcelona once clear of any playing commitments, as he still considers that to be “home”, but for now he will continue watching on from afar as teenage wonderkid Yamal attempts to follow in his footsteps by landing major silverware and competing for Ballons d’Or.
