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By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER Published: 05: 55 AEDT, 30 January 2026 | Updated: 06: 58 AEDT, 30 January 2026 1 View comments Barcelona forward Fermin Lopez has revealed that he would be happy to be benched for the return of club legend Lionel Messi. Messi left Barcelona in tears in 2021, with financial reasons cited as the explanation for his departure after more than 20 years. He joined Paris Saint-Germain, before eventually heading to the United States and Inter Miami. Now 38, it remains unclear if the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will ever return to his former club, with time running out on his career. But those at Barcelona haven't given up hope - including the players. One - Lopez - has even gone as far as saying he would be happy to sacrifice his spot in the team for Messi's return. 'If it were up to me to sign someone for Barca, I'd sign Leo Messi, ' Lopez said, via Spanish publication Marca. 'If they bench me because of Messi, so be it. ' Lopez, 22, is a product of Barca's academy and has worked his way into the first team lately, scoring 10 goals and picking up a further 11 assists in 26 matches this season. Barcelona star Fermin Lopez (right) has revealed he would sacrifice his sport in the team if his side re-signed Lionel Messi Messi (pictured) left Barcelona in tears in 2021 after making nearly 800 appearances for the side in a more-than-20-year period Having graduated the academy, he would likely have grown up watching Messi shine for Barca, where the Argentine played 778 times, scoring 672 goals. Messi also claimed four Champions League trophies and 10 La Liga titles while he was with the Catalan club. Lopez will be hoping to get anywhere close to those numbers as he builds his career alongside the newest generation of Barcelona players, including Lamine Yamal (18) and Pau Cubarsi (19). He has expressed his pride at his recent progress, with the club into the last-16 of the Champions League and top of the La Liga table. Now, he is hoping to kick on further, having taken up a similar position to what was sometimes occupied by Messi at Barca. 'Right now, I think this is my best year to date, ' Lopez said. 'I feel very confident in all aspects of the game and I try to showcase my qualities on the pitch. 'Hopefully, I can continue to do well with shots from outside the box. I hope to help the team a lot. It's not a specific goal I've set, but in my position, I know I have to score goals and provide assists to help the team, and I hope I can do much more. '
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