Barcelona has released a statement in response to Camp Nou legend Lionel Messi's decision to join MLS team Inter Miami this summer rather than return to the club.
In a Wednesday night interview with two Barcelona-based publications, Messi made his decision to Miami public.
He declined the advances of his former team in order to develop his career to a completely other continent. Messi said that he was eager to return to Barcelona but wasn't ready for the same kind of ambiguity that accompanied his departure in 2021.
The club also seems to have provided a slightly different account of what transpired in their statement. Messi claimed that part of the reason he looked elsewhere was because negotiations with Barcelona never progressed to the point where he was given a formal contract offer.
Barcelona suggested that he had distinct reasons for declining a comeback.
"On Monday, June 5, Jorge Messi, the player's father and representative, informed club president Joan Laporta of the player's decision to join Inter Miami, despite having been presented with a proposal from Barça," the Barcelona statement read. "In consideration of the desire of both FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi for him to once again wear Blaugrana," the statement continued.
"President Laporta understood and accepted Messi's choice to play in a league with less requirements, away from the spotlight and the burden he has been under lately. Joan Laporta and Jorge Messi also concurred to collaborate in order to encourage Barça supporters to pay tribute to a footballer who has been, is, and always will be a favorite of the club.
The latter section appears to be a reference to Messi leaving Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain two years ago at a time when he was unable to have a fitting send-off due to both the expectation that he would stay and the ban on game attendance imposed by Covid-19 regulations.
Response from Barcelona to Lionel Messi transfer rejection 22
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