Will Lionel Messi return to Barcelona for first game at revamped Camp Nou? Inter Miami chief explains what needs to happen for that to be possible

La Liga giants Barca are in the process of giving their iconic home a serious facelift. There have been suggestions that games could be played at that venue, with a reduced capacity as work is completed, from December 2024.

If that window of opportunity does open up, then Inter Miami would be free of MLS commitments as the American season will have finished. Barcelona will be in the middle of their 2024-25 campaign, but a glamour friendly could be lined up.

Quizzed on why a clash between Inter Miami and Barca has not been organised since Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez joined the ranks at Chase Stadium, Xavier Asensi – the Herons’ president of operations – told Mundo Deportivo: “It's a matter of timing. The 2020 match was part of the tour that we were able to prepare. Since we played in the Leagues Cup, we don't have the visibility of the possibility of playing a friendly. In January or December we can't know if it will fit into the calendar.”

He added when asked about taking Messi to Camp Nou for the reopening of a ground that he graced with distinction for 17 years: “It depends on when it is... Let's talk about it.”

Messi registered a record-breaking haul of 672 goals for Barcelona through 778 appearances. He helped them to 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns. He left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, before making his way to Miami two years later.