Lionel Messi playing for Barcelona again is ‘unrealistic’, claims club president

Lionel Messi has been linked with a return to Barcelona, but the club’s president feels it is ‘unrealistic’ (AP)

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has dismissed the prospect of Lionel Messi making a playing return to the club, labelling it “unrealistic”.
Messi recently visited the Nou Camp, expressing a heartfelt desire to one day return to the club where he spent 21 years.
The Argentine superstar was forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 due to the club’s financial difficulties, moving to Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami.
Laporta stated that speculating on a playing comeback would be disrespectful and not the right moment, given Messi’s current commitment to Inter Miami.
Instead of a playing return, Barcelona plans to honour Messi with a grand tribute at the renovated Nou Camp once its extensive renovations are complete.

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