A year ago
In a recent interview, Lionel Messi has officially announced his next football destination, and unfortunately for Barcelona fans, it won't be a return to the club this summer. Messi confirmed that he will be joining Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team in the United States. The Argentine superstar revealed his decision in a joint interview with MD and Sport, stating that although some details still need to be sorted out, he has chosen to continue his career path with Inter Miami.
Messi also discussed his reasons for not returning to Barcelona, despite reports suggesting it was his top choice. He expressed his excitement and desire to return to his former club, but ultimately, he didn't want to be in a situation where his future depended on someone else's decision. The financial difficulties faced by Barcelona, such as the need to sell players or reduce salaries, were factors that influenced Messi's decision. He didn't want to go through a similar situation as when he left the club before. Additionally, Messi mentioned that he had already faced false accusations during his career at Barcelona and didn't want to experience that again.
The footballer also spoke about his limited communication with Barcelona's President Laporta, but highlighted his close relationship with former teammate Xavi Hernandez, who discussed the possibility of Messi's return. However, due to personal reasons, Messi felt it was time to focus on his family and prioritize their well-being. He mentioned that the past two years at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) had not been enjoyable for him or his family.
Addressing speculation about money being a driving factor, Messi clarified that money had never been an issue for him. He stated that he didn't even discuss the contract with Barcelona, as the written offer never reached him. If he had been motivated by money, he could have chosen to move to a club in Saudi Arabia.
Messi expressed his disappointment with the way his departure from Barcelona was portrayed, feeling that he didn't have the opportunity to say goodbye to the fans in the way he deserved. He also mentioned that he wasn't sure if Barcelona did everything possible to facilitate his return, indicating that there may be people within the club who didn't want him back.
After an illustrious 21-year career at Barcelona, winning 32 major titles, Messi joined PSG in 2021 on a lucrative deal. Despite winning LaLiga with Barcelona this season, the club's financial troubles remained unresolved, leading to his departure. Messi's contract with PSG is set to expire on June 30, and he will soon be heading to Inter Miami to embark on a new chapter in his football journey.
Major League Soccer released a statement expressing their delight at Messi's intention to join Inter Miami and the league. While formal agreements are still being finalized, they eagerly anticipate welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to MLS. Inter Miami, currently at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference League, hopes that Messi's arrival can help revitalize the team after the recent dismissal of their manager, Phil Neville.
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