Since Lionel Messi’s heartbreaking departure from Barcelona on Aug. 5, 2021, fans and admirers alike have been waiting for the day he comes home to the Camp Nou for one last dance before his retirement.

Lionel Messi has called Barcelona home since he first arrived at FC Barcelona’s Academy, La Masia, at 13 years old. He quickly made his name known throughout FC Barcelona and made his first official debut for the club on Oct. 16, 2004, at just 17 years old. He went on to win every trophy possible for the Catalan club, totaling a whopping 45 trophies and 670 goals, to crown him the club’s highest goal scorer.

As Barcelona’s financial issues became clearer during the Covid pandemic, ESPN reported, “Barca, in €1.35 billion of debt following years of overspending and the financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, simply could not afford to give Messi a new contract and had to let him go to French side Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.”

But after two years at the French side, Messi is not looking to renew his contract with PSG, and talks between him and Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi, have hinted at a possible return to the Camp Nou.

Still, since Messi’s departure in 2021, Barcelona is still recovering from their financial issues. Reports from Barca Universal indicate that La Liga president Javier Tebas “has been at Barcelona’s throat over the Financial Fair Play and has been constantly reminding the club that they need to lower their salary mass by at least €200 million in the summer if they wish to sign and register new players.”

Yet, hopes are high, and it has become Barcelona’s top priority to bring home the Argentine GOAT. As stated by FCB’s president, Joan Laporta, in the Indian Express, “He knows that Barcelona’s doors are open to him. Messi is the best player in history. He is the most important player in Barcelona’s history.”

Nonetheless, Leo Messi has recently been spotted at a Barcelona airport with 15 suitcases and with his whole family, including Pepe Costa, his right hand man. It was later revealed that he came to visit and celebrate Saint Jordi’s Day with his fellow Catalan friends.