Barcelona president Joan Laporta was firm and denied the possibility of Argentine Lionel Messi returning to the club where he made the majority of his career: "Now is not the time to speculate with unrealistic scenarios". The possibility of Messi's return to Barcelona, the team where he played 778 matches, scoring 672 goals and providing 269 assists, in addition to winning 35 titles, was reignited after his secret visit to Camp Nou stadium. The Argentine posted a series of images at the stadium where he once shone and confessed that it is a "place I miss with my soul" and where he was "immensely happy". "Barcelona is above all," he added. Furthermore, he generated excitement among all football fans by expressing his desire to "return and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never could". Despite this emotional message from Messi, Laporta denied that there are any chances of a possible return from the Argentine. In an interview with Catalunya Radio, the Barcelona president emphasized that "out of respect for Messi, our players, and our members, now is not the time to speculate with unrealistic scenarios". Regarding Messi's traumatic exit in 2021, Laporta assured that "despite how everything happened, I don't regret anything. It wasn't what we wanted, but it wasn't possible at that time". Finally, he referred to Barcelona's new star, the Spanish player Lamine Yamal, who has recently been criticized for his lifestyle: "Enjoy life at 18 and show a remarkable maturity for his age. I am not concerned about his lifestyle. He is a true professional who trains hard." He needs protection and support, both from us and from those around him.
