Days after Lionel Messi paid surprise visit to the Camp Nou, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick responds when asked if he'd like to coach him

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has responded to questions on whether he would like to coach club legend Lionel Messi.

Flick expressed admiration for Messi, calling him the ‘best player of the last ten years,’ but ruled out the possibility of coaching the Argentine icon, pointing to their contract timelines. Messi is contracted with Inter Miami until 2028, while Flick’s deal with Barca runs until 2027.

Lionel Messi recently hit the headlines after he made a surprise, late-night visit to Barcelona’s revamped stadium, Spotify Camp Nou, on Sunday, November 9. The unexpected visit, of course, sparked enthusiastic speculation among the Blaugrana faithful about the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s potential return to the club.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference of Barca’s LaLiga match against Athletic Bilbao, Flick was asked what feelings a figure like Messi evokes in him and if he’d like to coach him.

“Why not? Messi is the best player of the last ten years. I’ve always enjoyed watching him play football, and he’d be perfect for any team. But his contract ends in 2028 and mine in 2027. So it’s not a question,” Flick said.

While Messi’s visit has raised the hopes of Barca fans, club president Joan Laporta dismissed the possible return of their most decorated player, saying, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano:

“Leo Messi’s return as a player is something just not realistic. As of now, he has a contract with Inter Miami. The club is building a project for the present and future. It's complicated, and if you live in the past, you hardly move forward”.

Lionel Messi was made to leave Barca against his wish in the summer of 2021 as a free agent due to the club’s financial constraints.

Lionel Messi said he wanted to spend his entire career at Barcelona

Lionel Messi was awarded the ‘most beloved player in Barcelona history’ at the Values Gala organized by Sport on Wednesday, November 19. After receiving the award, Messi revealed he had promised to spend the entirety of his career at Barcelona

“I would have liked to spend my entire career at Barça without having to go to another club. Unfortunately, things turned out differently, but I'm very grateful for this award,” he told Joan Vehils, director of Sport.

Messi came through the ranks at Barca and won every available trophy during the 17 years he spent in the senior team.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide