Revealed: Lionel Messi will NOT return to Barcelona for 125th anniversary celebrations

According to Mundo Deportivo, Messi ultimately won't be present at the event in Barcelona on Friday, November 29, due to unnamed prior commitments, having received his invitation a little over a fortnight ago. It had been thought that the 37-year-old would be in attendance, but it seems that is not the case.

Messi, who left the Catalan giants at the end of the 2021 season due to financial trouble at the club, grew to become arguably the best player on the planet in his time at Camp Nou. Winning 35 trophies as well as six Ballons d'Or, his name sits at the top of a long list of club icons.

The event would have marked the first time that Messi had returned to Barca since 2021, despite president Joan Laporta attempting to re-sign the attacker following the expiration of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. However, due to further financial difficulties, Messi chose to sign for David Beckham's Inter Miami.

Although he won't be there in person, Messi has reportedly recorded an interview that will be played at the 125th anniversary celebrations.

With the MLS season now over, Messi has the off-season, which runs until mid-February, to prepare himself for another campaign with Inter Miami. Messi bagged 21 goals throughout the course of the 2024 campaign, tying for second in the golden boot race.

Barcelona resume their campaign on Saturday following the international break. They travel to Celta Vigo, and should they win, they will at worst remain six points ahead of trailing rivals Real Madrid, who play Leganes.