Lionel Messi’s early exit from the MLS playoffs with Inter Miami has paved the way for his attendance at FC Barcelona’s 125th-anniversary gala. The event, scheduled for November 29, promises to be a star-studded celebration, bringing together legendary figures from the club’s illustrious history.

Initially, Messi’s participation seemed unlikely due to his commitments in the United States, but Miami’s playoff elimination has now opened the door for his return to the Catalan capital. Spanish media outlets are abuzz with speculation that Messi’s presence could mark the beginning of a reconciliation with Barcelona president Joan Laporta. The two fell out after Messi’s unexpected departure in the summer of 2021, when financial struggles forced the Argentine to leave the club for Paris Saint-Germain in a highly publicized and emotional move.

For Barcelona fans, seeing their greatest-ever player back in a Blaugrana setting—even just for an evening—will be a moment of profound nostalgia. It’s not just a celebration of the club’s history; it’s a chance to reconnect with an era that Messi defined with his brilliance and loyalty.