Leo Messi left FC Barcelona on August 5, 2021, still during the covid-19 pandemic and in the midst of the worst financial crisis of the century for the azulgrana team. 'La Pulga' said goodbye to the club in a private event, due to health restrictions, to sign for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent days later.
Since then, the Rosario native has enjoyed his best moments with the Argentine national team, lifting the World Cup in 2022, in addition to the Finalissima trophy that year and his second Copa América in 2024. He also won two Ballon d'Or awards, in 2021 and 2023, along with other local and international trophies with PSG and Inter Miami, respectively.
Barça is waiting for Leo Messi's return to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou
In 2023, Messi explored his return to Barça, but finally there was no agreement between the parties. The club's problems with the financial 'Fair Play', finally, led Leo to Miami after two seasons in Paris.
Beyond his stormy departure in 2021, the story of the burofax and the unsuccessful negotiation in 2023, the relationship between the Argentine '10' and Barça remains cordial. The 38-year-old player could not attend, due to professional commitments, the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the azulgrana team last November.
However, the door is still open for his return to the Spotify Camp Nou to receive the tribute he could not receive four years ago due to the pandemic. Leo played for the last time in front of the culé fans on March 7, 2020, while his last official match at home with the Barça shirt was played on May 16, 2021, against Celta. In both matches he managed to score the only goal for the culés.
When will Messi's expected return to the azulgrana temple take place? Probably not this year, as the idea is to have the largest possible capacity in the Estadi for this moment. Barça will return to Les Corts in September, receiving about 30,000 spectators.
Lamine Yamal, icon of the new era of Barça and successor to Leo Messi
After Leo Messi's departure, Barça had a tough 'journey through the desert' in 21/22, closing the year without titles. Ansu Fati inherited the '10' jersey, but injuries prevented him from exploiting the potential he showed in his first season.
After a season to forget, the League and Spanish Super Cup titles in 2023 laid the foundations for the current team that, again, reigned in Spain this 2025 with the obtaining of the national treble and a historic full house in Clásicos against Real Madrid.
Four years after La Pulga's farewell, Lamine Yamal has taken over as the new '10' and superstar of a winning team, full of young talent, confidence and good football that seeks to mark an era, just as the Rosario native did with the mythical number on his back.
In his first year as a culé '10', Lionel lifted the treble in 2009. Will Lamine be able to emulate this feat? That is what the team led by Hansi Flick is aiming for, with a reinforced squad and at its best.