Argentina International and Former Barcelona player Lionel Messi reveals reason for not choosing Barcelona in transfer decision after leaving PSG
Lionel Messi expressed a strong desire to return to Barcelona after leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but he avoided speculating that the club’s ongoing financial challenges influenced his decision.
Messi left Camp Nou in 2021 because his agreed contract couldn’t be registered due to financial constraints. As his time at PSG nears its end, he has opted to join Inter Miami, unsure if Barcelona might face similar issues again.
In a joint interview with Mundo Deportivo and SPORT, Messi revealed his wish to return, stating, “I truly wanted to.”
He also noted concerns about potentially facing a similar situation where his future depended on external factors, reflecting on his previous departure experience in 2021.
Lionel Messi expressed his desire to make decisions independently, considering his family’s well-being.
He mentioned hearing that La Liga had initially approved his return to Barcelona, but there were unresolved issues. Messi wanted to avoid a situation where Barcelona might need to sell players or cut wages, which influenced his decision-making process.
Feeling somewhat fatigued, Messi reflected on how in 2021, despite La Liga’s initial approval, returning to Barcelona wasn’t feasible, leaving him and his family temporarily in a Paris hotel.
He lamented not being able to return to Barça on his terms, despite wanting to, which was disappointing for him.
Additionally, Messi clarified that money was not a determining factor in the situation. He mentioned that there was never a discussion about the specifics of the deal, and although a proposal was rejected, it was never formalized, written down, or signed.
Despite the initial idea, they couldn’t progress further, and they never even formally discussed financial terms.
Messi emphasized that if money had been the sole consideration, he could have opted for opportunities in places like Saudi Arabia.
However, his decision was not driven by financial gain, even though the offers might have seemed substantial to him.
Regarding his interactions with Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta, Messi indicated they spoke only once or twice at most. Instead, he had frequent discussions with coach and former teammate Xavi.
When asked if he felt Barcelona had exhausted all possibilities to bring him back, the 35-year-old responded, “That’s their issue. There were many things missing. The club couldn’t give a 100% guarantee that I could return today.”
There has been speculation about Messi potentially returning to Barcelona, similar to how David Beckham, an Inter Miami co-owner, had loan spells with AC Milan during Major League Soccer off-seasons.
Messi was also asked about taking up a role as a secretary or ambassador at the club.
Messi mentioned that after retiring, his family plans to settle permanently in the city where he has spent most of his life, expressing a desire to remain close to the club.
“As I’ve always said, I love the club, so maybe one day I can help out and contribute in some way. I’m not sure when that will be,” he added. “Yes, I would like to be here again. I appreciate the affection I’ve received from people throughout my career.”
