Although Argentine legend Lionel Messi has been living in the USA for two years, he no longer follows Barcelona’s matches and has no contact with the team’s current players, reports El Nacional.
In the current squad, he only knows Ronald Araújo, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Marc-André ter Stegen, but has not built close relationships with them. With ter Stegen, his ties completely broke after a training ground dispute.
President Joan Laporta wanted to invite Messi to the opening of the new Camp Nou, but construction delays postponed these plans. Rumors that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner may soon end his career suggest this idea might never come true.
Messi’s relationship with Laporta deteriorated after the club, due to financial difficulties, failed to extend his contract. His forced departure was unexpected and painful — he signed with PSG and later continued his career at Inter Miami.
Since then, the Argentine star has declined two invitations from Barcelona — to the club’s 125th anniversary gala in November 2024 and to a possible Champions League final in the spring of 2025.
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