Messi posts emotional message as he returns to Nou Camp after £1.3bn refurb

LIONEL MESSI has posted an emotional message online after returning to the Nou Camp for the first time since its mega money refurb.

The Barcelona hero – who has recently just signed a new contract with MLS outfit Inter Miami – was back to where it all began as memories of his journey to stardom and global domination came flooding back.

The Argentina World Cup-winning captain and multi-winning Ballon d’Or hero departed the club back in 2021 as a free agent and joined PSG – in a move that teamed him up with ex-colleague Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Financial hurdles at Barcelona came into play with the club legend reduced to tears as he confirmed his exit from the LaLiga big hitters in a press conference.

During his time at the European heavyweight he played close to 800 games, scoring a staggering 672 goals while providing over 300 assists.

He lifted countless trophies during his stint at the club, breaking all sort of records and firmly establishing himself as the best player in the world with punters often engaged in the Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo best player debate.

RE-MARC-ABLE

Marcus Rashford outshines Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal on loan at Barcelona

Ultra Black

Win a 2025 Volvo plus £2,000 cash or £30k cash from just 13p with our code

After his spell in France he moved to the MLS to join David Beckham and Co in Miami and he’s played with his current employers ever since.

But Barcelona has and will always hold a special place in the heart of Messi, who took to his Instagram account with a series of pictures and a short emotional statement after checking out familiar – but new surroundings.

He wrote: “Last night I returned to a place I miss with my soul. A place where I was immensely happy, where you guys made me feel a thousand times the happiest person in the world.

“I hope one day I can come back, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to…”

SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN

Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2 – all the info

TIME for round two of this generation’s family feud!

Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn go punch-for-punch once again as both rivals look to make their fathers proud.

The blockbuster rematch takes place at the 62,000-seater Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, November 15.

Eubank Jr narrowly outpointed his bitter foe after 12 brutal rounds in April to secure the bragging rights in what was certainly a Fight of the Year contender.

And the two British superstars will dance once more as Eubank Jr aims to do the double while Benn seeks revenge after suffering a first career loss.

WATCH EUBANK JR VS BENN 2 ONLY ON DAZN

Here’s everything you need to know for fight night…

INFO

LATEST NEWS

VIDEO

*If you click on a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.

His personal trip to the Nou Camp comes just days after Marcus Rashford and the current crop took part in an open training session for the fans.

23,000 supporters turned up to watch their heroes grace the turf at their esteemed ground.

They’ve not played at the iconic football venue since 2023 and have temporarily relocated to the city’s Olympic Stadium while the stadium undergoes a £1.3billion refurbishment.

But the fans’ long-awaited return to their favourite ground came to an end on Friday when Hansi Flick‘s men stepped inside the pitch to train for the first time in over 890 days.

Work remains ongoing with the first two tiers more or less finished, but the third one and the roof are still to be added.

Messi’s trip to Spain comes off the back of MLS Cup play-off success.

He netted a double as Inter Miami dumped Nashville 4-0 to pick up a 2-1 series win to advance to the next stage against Cincinnati later this month.