Lionel Messi, after winning his 8th Ballon d’Or, has ruled out any return to FC Barcelona, even on a loan basis during the offseason. He has also closed the door on a comeback to Europe before the end of his career.
Lionel Messi is done with the top-level European scene. Ending his career at Inter Miami suits him just fine. The 2023 Ballon d’Or winner shared his thoughts with France Football and expressed no desire to play in Europe again.
Lionel Messi has stated that there is « absolutely no » plan for him to return to FC Barcelona on a loan this winter, although it’s theoretically possible during the offseason, as David Beckham, for instance, has done.
« I don’t think I’ll ever return to play in Europe. Of course, I will miss playing in the Champions League or competing in La Liga for the rest of my life… But I enjoyed it as much as I could, so I feel no frustration. »
However, retirement is not on the horizon just yet. « I feel good. I’ve always said I don’t think about the future; I take it day by day… I don’t know how much longer I’ll keep playing. I want to keep going until I feel like I can’t anymore, until my physical condition no longer allows me to play the way I want. »