Lionel Messi has returned to Spain to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, reflecting on the enduring connection he maintains with Barcelona and the city that shaped his career.

Speaking in Oviedo, the Inter Miami forward described Barcelona as far more than a football club. He spoke warmly of the city, the people and the years that defined his rise from La Masia prospect to one of the game’s greatest players.

“Barcelona is my home,” Messi said. “I have many memories from there, not only because of what we achieved, but because of the way we lived every day, the training sessions and the people around us. It will always be like this.”

Messi’s relationship with Barcelona remains rooted in more than the trophies won during his 21 years at the club. Alongside teammates including Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta and Carles Puyol, he was part of a generation that helped establish one of football’s most celebrated teams.

Now with Inter Miami, Messi continues to occupy a global role in the sport, but his comments in Spain showed that his attachment to Barcelona has not diminished. His departure in 2021 was shaped by the club’s financial restrictions, ending a first-team career in which he became Barcelona’s record appearance-maker and goalscorer.

There is no confirmed arrangement for Messi to return to Barcelona as a player, and suggestions of a loan move remain speculative. His visit, however, offered supporters a reminder of the deep personal bond between Messi, the city and the club.

The Princess of Asturias Award recognises Messi’s impact beyond individual achievement. For Barcelona supporters, his return to Spain carries a familiar message: while his career has taken him elsewhere, the connection forged in Catalonia remains permanent.