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Messi lined up for STUNNING Barcelona return as 'key' to BLOCKBUSTER Haaland transfer
Suraj Radia
- 19 Feb 2026 17:17 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Bringing Lionel Messi back to Barcelona is the first step to signing Erling Haaland, according to a presidential candidate for the La Liga giants.
Marc Ciria is among the names aiming to be named as Barcelona’s new president on March 15, when votes are cast on the role which is currently filled by Joan Laporta.
A banner depicting Messi holding his Barca shirt was unveiled in the heart of the city and Ciria has built his campaign around bringing the club legend back for one final stint after his sudden exit to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
Current ETV
Lionel Messi
F (CR)
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi
F (CR)
Inter Miami
ETV Range
€12.5M - €15.3M
"The first thing is to bring Messi back to the club and give him the tribute he deserves,” Ciria told Cadena Ser. “An idol like him, the best player in the history of football, who came up through La Masia, is a draw for thousands of members."
“He was kicked out of the club, just as many members have been. We want to bring this club back to its members, and with Messi at the helm, we are very excited to have the Barça we deserve again.
He added: “This tribute is based on passion, emotion, and being clear that we are the good guys. Most members want to recover the excitement of having the best player in history at home, from where he never had to leave.”
’To sign Haaland, we must bring Messi back’: Barca presidential candidate makes bold declaration
Ciria also claimed that Messi’s return could net Barca €200 million in commercial revenue, which would then allow the club to target a player like Haaland.
Current ETV
Erling Haaland
F (C)
Erling Haaland
F (C)
Man City
ETV Range
€135.8M - €166M
Haaland has been a long-term target for Barcelona but their has never been any realistic chance of the Catalans ever signing the Manchester City star due to their financial constraints, however Ciria insisted that Messi could be the key to a deal.
🚨 "CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN".
Presidential pre-candidate Marc Ciria has unveiled a banner featuring an image of Lionel Messi in central Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/3hmL1wyNnV— barcacentre (@barcacentre) February 18, 2026
"[Messi re-joining Barca] would imply an impact of more than 200 million euros, just because of what his return represents globally,” Ciria said.
"We know that Messi's future is tied to Barcelona, the club of his life. He wants to heal that emotional wound with the club, give back everything he still has to offer, and be a key member, not just for today, but for Barça's future.
“To sign Haaland, we must bring Messi back as a strategic partner.”
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