When Lionel Messi returned to Barcelona for his summer vacation, he was surrounded by fans.
When the Paris Saint-Germain player and his family landed in the Catalan capital on Wednesday, video footage showed them being welcomed with open arms.
Messi, 34, has played 778 games for Barcelona and scored 672 goals, making him a local legend.
And at the airport entry, devoted followers pleaded with their idol to sign jerseys and pose for photos.
Ever the modest superstar, Messi complied by welcoming fans and signing his name to a number of goods.
Off-camera, the wife Antonella was seen escorting their three kids—Mateo, Thiago, and Ciro—to a car.
Waiting for Messi to make the rounds with his devoted fan base didn’t seem to bother the laid-back trio.
And after completing his international duties in South America, the Argentina star was undoubtedly thrilled by the reception.
For a few weeks, Messi will now have the opportunity to unwind at his Barcelona house.
Prior to the abrupt transition to PSG last summer, he had been a permanent resident of the city since 2000.
However, Messi still has a lavish home in Barcelona, where he will probably meet up with old friends as he relaxes before going back to France.
During his stellar tenure at Barcelona, Messi won seven Ballon d’Ors, four Champions Leagues, and ten La Liga crowns.
However, the club was unable to renew his contract at the last minute in July 2021 due to financial difficulties.
It made it possible for Messi to sign a free transfer to PSG, where he now plays with World Cup champion Kylian Mbappe and former teammate Neymar.
Messi’s debut season in France didn’t go as planned; he only managed six league goals, which is his lowest total since making his Barca debut in the 2004–05 season.
Since then, adjustments have been made, with athletic director Leonardo leaving and boss Mauricio Pochettino also on his way.
At the Parc des Princes, players like Max Allegri and Zinedine Zidane are currently being predicted to take the lead.
However, whomever takes over as manager will undoubtedly need to figure out how to bring out the most in Messi.