As we approach the summer of 2026, it will mark a poignant milestone: five years since Lionel Messi's emotional departure from FC Barcelona. In the time since, the dream of a fairytale return for the club's greatest ever player has been a persistent whisper among fans and pundits alike.

However, Barcelona's sporting director Deco has now provided a definitive update, effectively closing the book on that particular chapter. In a recent interview, Deco confirmed that a Messi comeback was never a realistic option for the club's sporting department.

While expressing immense reverence for Messi, calling him "the best player in Barcelona’s history" and arguably the greatest of all time, Deco framed the situation with a dose of sporting realism. "This scenario of return, in reality, at least since I have been there, has never been put on the table," he stated clearly.

He elaborated that the constant speculation, often fueled during presidential campaigns, didn't match the reality behind the scenes. Deco revealed there were never any concrete approaches from Messi's camp about a potential return, labeling much of the talk as "a lot of rumours, many unreal things."

This clarification from Deco underscores a period of transition for Barcelona, as the club focuses on building its future while forever honoring its legendary past. It's a reminder that in football, as Deco noted, all things have "a beginning, a middle and an end," even the careers of the very greatest.