Lionel Messi sends heartfelt message to Barcelona fans on 125th anniversary

Lionel Messi has admitted he hopes to see Barcelona fans again "soon" as he backed the team to compete for major silverware in the coming years.

Barcelona's well-known financial issues left them unable to extend Messi's contract in 2021, sparking an emotional departure and a two-year spell with Paris Saint-Germain. The all-time great moved on to Inter Miami in 2023.

To celebrate the 125th anniversary of Barcelona, Messi sat down with Mundo Deportivo to discuss his memories of the club.

"There are so many things, but the first thing that comes to mind is the many wonderful memories of all the time I spent at the best club in the world," Messi said.

"I hope that the club can return to what it always was. As well as being a world reference, which it never stopped being, always fighting to win titles until the end of each season. As a Barca player, you can never settle for being second or not winning, because the members and the fans demand the most from you. Being the best club in the world entails very high demands.

"I would love to see Barca win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and also the Champions League again. And in the years that it can't, at least compete until the last moment."

Asked for a parting message to Barca fans, Messi concluded: "I miss you all very much, I hope we can see each other again soon and that you feel proud to be part of the best club in the world."

Messi, 37, remains under contract with Miami until the end of 2025 and is not believed to be thinking of retirement. The Major League Soccer side are hopeful of tying him down to an extension.

When Messi does eventually hang up his boots, he has already ruled out the prospect of becoming a manager, although a role behind the scenes, such as a sporting director, does appeal to a player many consider to be the best of all time.

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