Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has expressed his desire for Lionel Messi to have a proper goodbye at Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
The 36-year-old turned down the chance to return to the Catalan giants this summer, also rejecting a huge offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal to continue his career in Miami.
But although Messi won’t be suiting up for Barcelona in La Liga or the Champions League again, that hasn’t stopped people all around the world from speculating if he’ll ever get to say a real farewell to the club he served faithfully for over 20 years.
One potential avenue for that to happen would be Messi appearing in a friendly game, such as the Joan Gamper trophy that is held in August before every season. This year, Barca take on Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on August 8 at the Estadi Olimpic Luis Companys – an alternative stadium because Camp Nou is currently being renovated.
And Mas has added his voice to a potential return, saying of another appearance for Barcelona: “I don’t know if it’s some type of friendly or farewell game. They have this Gamper Trophy they play for in the summer.
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“But there will be something where, hopefully when the new Camp Nou is open, because their stadium there they will not be playing in for the next year and a half, hopefully Lionel Messi can say his proper goodbye.”
Keen to provide further context, Mas quickly ruled out an official return to Barcelona, adding: “That does not entail playing for Barcelona. He’s not going to go on loan there. That’s not going to happen.
“Yes, he deserves his correct goodbye there. Yes, and I will do everything in my power in order to facilitate and help him do that because he’s deserving of that.”
Messi is next in action for Inter Miami in their Leagues Cup round of 32 game with Orlando City, having already scored three goals in his first two outings for the club.
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