Barcelona sporting director Deco has firmly shut down growing speculation about Lionel Messi returning to the club on a short loan from Inter Miami. Speaking on the programme Que t’hi jugues, Deco was very clear that a temporary return is not on the table.
He explained in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account that Messi has a valid contract with Inter Miami and that the idea of a loan was never discussed at board level.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Barça director Deco: Leo Messi on short term loan? I don’t think that’s possible.
Leo has a contract. I don’t think it’s ever been brought up… Messi is always Messi, he can always offer something; but it’s not something we’ll talk about right now.
His stance reflects earlier reporting from SoftFootball that Barcelona’s leadership had been downplaying such rumours since Messi’s private Camp Nou visit. The visit stirred excitement, but Deco insisted that the speculation is driven entirely by outside noise rather than internal planning.
Club president Joan Laporta had already addressed the same topic weeks earlier. In an interview with Catalunya Radio, he described the idea of a loan as unrealistic and said the club must respect Messi, the current squad, and its members by avoiding distractions.
Laporta continues to speak fondly of Messi’s legacy and has even confirmed that the club is preparing a major tribute once the new Camp Nou is fully completed, something he spoke about when highlighting that Messi deserves a statue at the stadium.
The broader context also supports Deco’s position. Messi recently extended his contract with Inter Miami through 2028, which makes any short-term move complicated from a competitive and logistical standpoint.
While MLS rules allow star players to go on short offseason loans with club approval, these arrangements require cooperation between all parties, clear competitive timing, and mutual interest. At the moment, none of those conditions are in place.
Despite the ongoing rumours, Messi has kept his focus on his current club. In a recent interview, he said he looks forward to returning to Barcelona like any supporter would, but not as an active player. For now, Barcelona leaders are aligned in their message. The speculation may continue among fans, but inside the club, the matter is settled.
