The dream of thousands of Barcelona fans to see Lionel Messi play once again in the team’s colors is shared by some players as well.
Pablo Zabaleta, a Manchester City legend and Argentine-born Spanish national, also hopes that the “No. 10” will have his “last dance” at Barça in the future.
Zabaleta and his desire to see Messi at Barcelona again
Lionel’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain is likely the most painful chapter in the history of Barcelona and its fans. After financial difficulties prevented the club from renewing the Argentine captain’s contract, he left the club in the summer of 2021 to join Kylian Mbappé in France as a free agent.
In 2023, he signed with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer, where he has already won four titles and continues to break records. However, the hope of seeing him play again at Spotify Camp Nou beats in every Barça fan’s heart-and in the hearts of some of his former teammates and rivals as well.
Zabaleta shared a locker room with him on the Argentine national team, but he also had to face him while the “No. 10” played for Barça and made his mark on the soccer world. That’s why his departure from the Catalan club surprised him:
“Honestly, when I was playing -whether for Espanyol or with Manchester City in the Champions League against Barcelona- I could never have imagined Messi leaving the club. I assumed it would be forever,” he confessed in an interview with Flashscore.
Later, the former Argentine right-back commented on Leo’s decision to leave Europe for the United States and sign with David Beckham’s club: “Miami is a wonderful place to raise a family, Inter Miami was a new and exciting project, and wherever he goes, he wins. He’s already won the MLS Cup,” he noted.
Lionel is under contract with the ‘Herons’ until 2028; however, Zabaleta made no secret of his desire to see him back in the colors of the club where he won 35 trophies and established himself as the all-time leading scorer with 672 goals in 778 matches.
He also highlighted Messi’s presence and impact at every club he plays for: “Every club in the world would want him. “My son barely knew Inter Miami before he arrived; now he wants a Messi jersey. That’s the power of the man,” he said.
As for a return to Barcelona… why not? A last dance? I’d love to see it.
Meanwhile, Messi has his sights set on the upcoming friendlies with the Albiceleste ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lionel Scaloni’s team will face Mauritania and, on the 31st, Zambia, both at La Bombonera Stadium.
Heading into soccer’s biggest tournament, to be held in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada from June 11 to July 19, Argentina will arrive as the defending champion and will have to defend its title. In Group J, they will face Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, at Kansas City Stadium. Then, at Dallas Stadium, they will play against Austria on Monday, June 22, and against Jordan on Saturday, June 27.
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