Messi Shuts Down Rumors of Son's Return to Barcelona
The Argentine captain gave a short and clear answer when asked about the future of 13-year-old Thiago.
The Argentine captain gave a short and clear answer when asked about the future of 13-year-old Thiago.
Lionel Messi, captain of Inter Miami, put an end to all speculation that his eldest son Thiago might return to Barcelona's famed academy, La Masia, with the shortest possible answer. When directly asked by journalist Bruno Vain, he simply replied: "No."
The exchange took place ahead of a Leagues Cup match against Atletico San Luis, when journalist Vain stopped the Argentine legend and asked: "Is Thiaguito leaving?" Messi's response left no room for further interpretation, confirming that the 13-year-old midfielder will continue his development in the youth setup of the Florida club.
Speculation about a return to Catalonia was not without foundation. Thiago had already spent time at Barca Escola from 2016 to 2019, before joining Paris Saint-Germain's youth academy while his father played in France. Now, at 13, his developmental stage inevitably drew parallels with Messi's early journey from Rosario to Catalonia. The stories gained momentum precisely around the fifth anniversary of Messi's emotional departure from Barcelona on August 5, 2021, caused by the club's financial crisis.
Speaking earlier about his son's on-field characteristics, Messi described Thiago to the media outlet Simplemente Futbol as a more thoughtful type of player. "He is more thoughtful, more of an organizer, more of a midfielder," he said at the time. Thiago will continue to build his path right here in the United States, focused on the gradual development of his young career with full family support, far from overseas transfer speculation.
