"Hopefully one day I can return, and not just say goodbye as a player" - Lionel Messi admitted on social media with a surprise photo at Camp Nou.
This photo surprised Barcelona, making many fans excited about the possibility of the Argentine star returning to the club he loves.
The Argentine captain has recently extended his contract with Inter Miami until 2028. However, a path led by David Beckham could allow Messi to return to Barcelona without affecting his current contract.
This potential "last dance" will help Messi best prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Can the most anticipated comeback in the history of the transfer market take place?
When does the MLS season end?
Major League Soccer's (MLS) schedule is different from La Liga and most European tournaments. This is an important difference that can make the deal feasible.
Inter Miami are currently participating in the MLS playoffs. The team led by Javier Mascherano has passed the first round and will face Cincinnati in the semi-final.
Messi's team finished the annual season in 3rd place in the East. They are considered the leading candidate for the MLS Cup championship.
At the latest, the US season will end in early December, while the official matches of next season will not start until the end of February.
This break of more than 2 months can be taken advantage of by many players to move to Europe without losing the rhythm of the competition, especially in the year of the World Cup.
" Beckham clause"
The initial " Beckham clause" was set in so that MLS players could temporarily travel to Europe during their break without affecting their MLS contracts.
Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan have all taken advantage of this clause to join European clubs on loan. In theory, stars like Messi or Son Heung-min could also apply a similar clause if their MLS contracts allow it.
This clause helps players maintain their rhythm and prepare for important international tournaments such as the World Cup without missing official competition time.
Messi's case
Interestingly, the one who had to decide on Messi's transfer was Beckham - the initiator of the " Beckham Clause".
Currently the President of Inter Miami, Beckham is one of the key figures bringing the Argentine to the US. Given this role, it would be difficult to imagine if the British businessman opposed a "road" named after him.
This clause stipulates that players must return to their clubs when the new season begins. Therefore, if Messi returns to Barcelona, this period will only last for a few months.
This solution is very interesting for many reasons. First, it allowed the Argentine star to overcome the biggest challenge of his career and say goodbye as a Barcelona player.
On the other hand, El Pulga will not lose their playing rhythm and have the opportunity to compete at the highest level in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Remember, Argentina will enter the tournament as the defending champions.
Furthermore, Messi does not need to break his contract with Inter Miami, and can completely take advantage of this opportunity to add another Champions League title to his collection of achievements.
