Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has delivered the clearest signal yet that a romantic return for Lionel Messi to Camp Nou will not materialise, dismissing the widely circulated rumours as “unrealistic talk” with no factual basis.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper Sport, the former midfielder addressed head-on the persistent speculation that had gained traction during Barcelona’s presidential election campaign, when Messi’s name was repeatedly invoked as a potential returning figure. “This is a complex issue; it was discussed at length during the election campaign, and his name was mentioned constantly,” Deco said.
Despite acknowledging Messi’s unparalleled status at the club, Deco was unequivocal in drawing a line under the matter. “The possibility of a return has never been on the table since I arrived,” he stated. “Neither Messi nor anyone representing him has ever called me and said, ‘Hold on, I want to come back, I want to play.’ It was all just rumours and unrealistic talk.”
Deco did not hold back in his admiration for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, describing him as the greatest player in Barcelona’s history and arguably the finest the sport has ever produced. “Messi is the best player in Barcelona’s history, and for me, he is the best player in the history of football, or at least one of the best,” he said. Nevertheless, sentiment alone was not enough to keep the door open. “We wish football were eternal in every respect. There are many things we’d like to last forever, but they come to an end. Everything has a beginning, a development, and an end, and speculating on this matter seems pointless to me.”
On the subject of a social media post in which Messi expressed a vague desire to one day return to Barcelona, Deco was measured in his assessment. “He posted on Instagram saying he’d like to return one day, but he didn’t specify when,” he noted. “Talking about these matters with a player of Leo’s stature makes no sense unless there’s something real and tangible.”
Messi, 37, is currently contracted to Inter Miami — the MLS franchise co-owned by David Beckham — where he has made a strong start to the 2026 season. The Argentine has scored five goals in his opening five league appearances, contributing to a 2–2 draw against Austin FC, a match that also marked the inauguration of the club’s new Nu Stadium. His tally of five goals across those fixtures has pushed his verified all-time career goal count to 901.
Messi’s departure from Barcelona in the summer of 2021 remains one of the most turbulent episodes in the club’s recent history. The separation was primarily driven by the club’s severe financial difficulties and La Liga’s strict wage cap regulations, which prevented Barcelona from renewing his contract despite both parties reportedly wanting to continue their association. He subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Miami in 2023.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching — a tournament Messi is widely expected to participate in as part of the Argentina squad defending their 2022 title — speculation around his future club commitments beyond that point continues to circulate. However, based on Deco’s remarks, Barcelona will not be part of that conversation unless circumstances change significantly.
