Barcelona told ‘signs look good’ for superstar return amid Messi rumours

Robin Bairner

28 Feb 2025 06:41 GMT
3 min read

Neymar, Lionel Messi, Barcelona — © IMAGO

Barcelona have been told that bringing Neymar back to the club in the summer is increasingly “possible” amid rumours that they are also chasing a deal for Lionel Messi.

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The Catalan side will move into the renovated Camp Nou next season and are seeking at least one club legend to return in time to grace the new arena.

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Messi would naturally be the preference given his status at the club, and Barca are even prepared to sell three first-team players in order to potentially entice the Argentine back.

But Inter Miami are masters of the destiny of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is under contract with the MLS club until the end of 2025 but wants to return to Barca.

Neymar, on the other hand, has no such ties and David Ornstein has explained there is a genuine chance of the attacker making his return to the club.

The world’s most expensive player is currently on a short-term contract back home in Brazil with Santos and will become a free agent on 30 June.

“The early signs look good, but let’s see how he fares in the weeks and months ahead,” David Ornstein reports for The Athletic. “The remarkable situation currently being explored and prioritised is a return to Barcelona. Nothing has been decided but I’m told discussions are taking place between the Catalan giants and his camp.

“Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Neymar’s representative Pini Zahavi have a close relationship, and I think Zahavi also looks after Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick.

“Neymar’s big motivation will be the 2026 World Cup and playing at Barcelona, in the rebuilt Camp Nou, has fairytale potential. A lot would need to happen for this to materialise, but it’s possible and a tantalising prospect!”

Tantalisingly, Ornstein also reports that there is a clause in Neymar’s current Santos contract that could allow him to return to Barcelona in time for the FIFA Club World Cup should this deal gather more pace.