Lionel Messi sends emotional message after being voted Barcelona’s “most loved player ever”

Argentina and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, continues to add to his extraordinary list of accolades. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has now received a new honor, being named “the most loved player in Barcelona’s history” during SPORT’s Valores Del Deporte gala.

Messi, who was on international duty with Argentina at the time, could not attend the ceremony in person. Instead, the award was presented to him upon his return to Miami, where he delivered an emotional message to Barcelona fans, describing the recognition as “special.”

“It’s very special, for what it means and from where it’s coming from (Barcelona fans). The truth is we have been through so many things, good and not so good as well, because it’s normal that in a career of so many years not everything is pretty and you go through tough times,” Messi said.

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“But it’s my home, my place, my people. I would have liked doing my whole career there without having to leave to another club. Unfortunately, things happened in a different way. But still, I have a lot of beautiful memories,” he added.

Messi’s emotional connection with Barcelona remains strong, even three years after his painful departure in 2021. The club’s financial struggles forced him to leave without the farewell he deserved, and COVID-19 restrictions meant his final season at Camp Nou was played in an empty stadium.

That smile man i love him so much pic.twitter.com/gJ7IS9ecOy

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Recently, Messi reignited hope among supporters when he expressed his desire to one day return to the Spotify Camp Nou for the proper send-off he “never got.” His visit to the redeveloped stadium—shared through photos before he joined Argentina for international duty—sparked excitement among Barça fans worldwide.

However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta downplayed the possibility of a return as a player, calling it “not realistic.”

Still, Messi reaffirmed his intention to come back to the city and the club he calls home—even if it is as a supporter.

“Obviously I’m going to return to Barcelona. I’m going to be present at the stadium like another fan, following the team and being one more fan. At the moment, I will be a few more years here in Miami surely, but we will return to Barcelona because, as I have always said, it’s my place, my home, we miss it a lot. So we will be back there,” Messi concluded.

Messi’s legacy at Barcelona remains unmatched. Joining the club at age 13, he spent 20 years in Catalonia and guided the team to nine LaLiga titles, four UEFA Champions League trophies, and seven Copa del Rey crowns, among many other honors. He is the club’s all-time leading scorer with 672 goals and holds the record for most appearances at 778 matches.

With 34 trophies won for Barcelona and numerous unforgettable moments, Messi’s status as the greatest player in the club’s history—and one of football’s all-time legends—remains firmly cemented.

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