Flick rules out Messi’s Barcelona return and praises Yamal’s handling as Barca eye big tests

Flick on Messi’s Possible Barca Return

German coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s manager, has been steering media speculation about a potential Lionel Messi return after four years away from the Catalan club. He stressed that it isn’t his responsibility to arrange such a reunion and shifted attention back to the current squad and upcoming fixtures.

Messi left Barça in 2021 after contract renewal talks stalled, a few months before a changing of the guard with the club’s president. He subsequently joined Paris Saint‑Germain, spent two seasons there, and moved to Inter Miami on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.

Recently, the Argentina captain—who led his country to World Cup glory in 2022—surprised many by visiting Camp Nou after renovations. In several interviews, he expressed nostalgia for a Barca return and said he would have preferred not to leave the club in the first place.

At a Friday press conference ahead of a league clash with Athletic Bilbao, Flick was asked about Messi’s possible comeback. “Messi is the best player of the last decade, if not ever. I’ve enjoyed watching him play; he’s phenomenal,” Flick remarked, underscoring the quality Messi would bring to any side.

Regarding a potential reunion, Flick added, “Messi’s contract with his current club runs until 2028, while mine with Barcelona ends in 2027, so it isn’t my decision to coach him.” He also noted the importance of the upcoming match against Bilbao as a gauge of Barcelona’s current standing and form, especially at the Camp Nou, which he described as a special venue thatcould give the team a small edge when the crowd is close to the pitch.

Flick spoke about the environment at Montjuïc, praising the fans and the strong connection between the team and supporters. He stressed that each game is treated on its own merits and that the season’s objective remains clear: perform consistently and push for top placement, despite tough competition from Real Madrid, Villarreal, and Atlético Madrid.

The coach also addressed recent squad matters, including Lamine Yamal’s unexpected omission from the Spain squad due to a treatment plan for a groin issue. “Lamine is our player, and we care for our players. The decision to exclude him this month was the right one; he works hard and remains highly disciplined. It’s important for him to learn how to manage everything,” Flick said. He added that Yamal had behaved well under the circumstances and that there would be fluctuations in form, handled with a steady approach.

On other injuries, Flick clarified that Frenkie de Jong’s absence requires adjustments but would not reveal tactical details. “We trained the way we want to play tomorrow; you’ll see the lineup,” he teased, praising Frenkie and Pedri as excellent players who give the team confidence, while acknowledging that sometimes you must cope with reality when they’re not available. He also confirmed that goalkeeper Juan Garcia would return to guard Barcelona’s goal against Bilbao, with Pedri gradually regaining full fitness and potential involvement against Chelsea a subject for later assessment.

As the press conference closed, Flick offered a pragmatic outlook: “Rafinha is dealing with fever; there are doubts about his readiness for the Bilbao match, but I’m glad to see Rinahia back on the bench. The focus remains on our four-week stretch with nine crucial fixtures.”

Punchline time: If Messi does come back, Barcelona’s ball might need a passport to handle all the travel endorsements it’ll receive. And if not, well, the Camp Nou still has plenty of nostalgia left to monetize—one photo of Messi and the crowd will do the job. Punchline 2: When in doubt, just tell the ball to quit drama and behave itself—Messi’s on the other side of the world, not on the bench, thankfully.