Last Monday, in Paris, Lionel Messi lived an unforgettable moment when receiving his historic eighth Ballon d’Oran award that had eluded their hands since 2021. The ceremony, organized by the magazine France Football at the majestic Châtelet Theatre, not only celebrated the Argentine star’s achievements, but also revived speculation about his future. In an emotional speech after receiving the coveted award, the ’10’ did not miss the opportunity to express his strong bond with the FC Barcelonathe club in which he left an indelible mark for more than two decades.
“I was lucky to be on the best team in the world,” stated the Argentine, remembering his golden years at the Camp Nou. Furthermore, Messi highlighted his desire to retire in a memorable way in Barcelona in front of the culé fans, a wish that could be in the process of materializing in a collaboration between Barcelona and his current team, Inter Miami.
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Messi’s statements did not stop there. In a conversation with Sports worldthe player expressed his desire to return to Barcelona and establish his life in Barcelona. “Go back to Barcelona? Yes, I want to live there. Barça always helped me and I helped them, I would like to collaborate in some way. Now I don’t look any further, I am a soccer player and I want to continue playing.”
These statements have unleashed a new wave of speculation about what Messi’s return to Barcelona could be like if not as a player or coach. One of the options that has gained strength is that the Argentine star could assume the role of sports director of the club.
‘Lobo’ Carrasco, panelist of the program The beach bar and former Barça footballer, has mentioned this possibility, and it would not be surprising if the Barça team is seriously considering the idea of having Messi in a leadership position within the organization.
Messi hinted at the possibility
In a previous interview with Migue Granados for the YouTube channel OLGA, Messi hinted at his interest in playing the role of sporting director after his retirement. In this regard, he stated: “I like everything that is related to football, being with young people, teaching.”
While the idea of Messi as sporting director sounds exciting to Barcelona fans, no official deal has been finalized yet. Barcelona, under the presidency of Joan Laporta, could be analyzing various possibilities to ensure that the Argentine legend continues to be an integral part of the culé family.
Another option that has been mentioned in the past is the possibility of Messi taking on a role in the Argentine national team as technical director. However, Messi himself has previously expressed that he does not see himself in a coaching role. Although his knowledge and experience in football are undeniable, it is unlikely that the ’10’ will take on this role any time soon.
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