Barcelona working on a plan to re-sign Lionel Messi in 2026 – report | OneFootball

It has been almost four years since Lionel Messi bid a teary goodbye to FC Barcelona as he was forced to leave on a free transfer because the financial situation prevented the club from renewing his contract.

After a two-year stint in France with PSG, the global superstar is now plying his trade in the United States of America with Inter Miami, where his contract expires at the end of the year.

As such, the murmurs of a potential return to Barcelona for one last dance refuse to go away.

Barcelona working to bring Messi back for Camp Nou return

Indeed, according to Maximiliano Grillo on TNT Sports Argentina, Barcelona ar considering bringing Lionel Messi back to the club after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

The Blaugrana’s main motivation is for their greatest icon to be part of the grand reopening of the newly renovated Camp Nou, which is currently under construction.

Will Messi return to Barcelona? (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

While the team might return to the renovated Camp Nou later this year, it will only be partly open. The stadium is expected to be fully operational only from 2026 and it seems that Barça want that to coincide with the return of their former captain.

Barcelona are working on a plan to make it happen and intend to carefully lay the groundwork, knowing that any potential comeback would require negotiations and specific conditions.

This report follows recent rumours of Messi wanting to return to the club of his heart and play at the new Spotify Camp Nou before hanging up his boots.

However, it has also been reported that any return for the Argentine will be unlikely as long as Joan Laporta remains at the club, with the relationship between the record Ballon d’Or winner and the Barcelona president believed to have been ruptured.

As such, Messi’s return would be anything but straightforward. But as per the report, Barcelona are determined to explore every possible avenue to bring their former captain and club legend back.