The complicated and traumatic departure of Leo Messi from FC Barcelona in the summer of 2021 took its toll on the Argentine footballer who, hastily and without wanting it, had to pack his bags and go to Paris. No goodbyes. No applause. This time, although he was excited about his possible return, the Argentine wanted to decide his future without pressure and by himself. He knew that his times and those of FC Barcelona did not coincide. The critical economic situation of the Barcelona club, forced to adapt its excessive salary mass to comply with the viability plan, prevented Barça from presenting a firm offer.
And Messi, who always wanted to announce his future as soon as this season ended, ruled out waiting indefinitely. But above all, he ruled out wanting to feel responsible for possible salary cuts for his colleagues and even possible transfers so that he could return. Finally, he opted for the American way. The family stability that playing for Inter Miami gave him won the multi-million dollar offer from Saudi Arabia and his desire to return to Barça.
“I made the decision to go to Miami. I still haven't closed it one hundred percent. But it was clear to me that if the Barcelona thing didn't come out, I wanted to leave Europe, get out of the spotlight, much more after having won the World Cup. I want to think more about my family. Enjoy much more from day to day. With the same responsibility of wanting to win but with more peace of mind, ”said the 35-year-old crack, who explained his decision in statements to Mundo Deportivo and Sport made from Paris.
In the interview carried out jointly, Leo Messi stressed on several occasions that “I really wanted and was very excited to be able to return to Barcelona. But after what I lived through and the exit I had, I didn't want to be in the same situation again. I also heard that they had to sell players or lower their salaries and I didn't want to go through that or be responsible, ”he recounted.
Along the way, the Argentine confessed that “actually, with President Laporta, I spoke very little, once or twice at most. Surely there are people on the board who do not want me to return, who believe that my return is not good for the club ”. On the other hand, he did stress that with coach Xavi Hernández “I have a lot of communication. We were very excited, because when something came out we discussed the possibility of returning ”, he assured. He also explained that “honestly, I don't know if the club has done everything possible or not for him to come back. I knew what he was talking about with Xavi, above all. He also knew that the club, today, was not in a position to affirm one hundred percent that he could return. And it is understandable, due to the economic situation, ”he explained.
He also wanted to emphasize that “economics was never a problem for me or an obstacle at all. But we never got to talk about the contract now. A proposal was passed over, but never a formal proposal. There was the intention, but we did not formally talk about money, ”she assured.
For all this, the Argentine ruled out the Barcelona route. “I was afraid that the same thing would happen to me again. In the summer of 2021 I had to run to Paris, stay in a hotel for a long time with my family, with my children going to school and still being in the hotel... I didn't want to go through something similar again. I wanted to make my own decision. I didn't want to wait to see what was going to happen and leave my future in someone else's hands," he said. Despite empathizing with Barcelona's complicated situation, the Argentine said he felt "a bit of anger" when he saw that, after his goodbye, the club activated millionaire signings such as Ferran Torres. “With the passage of time I understood it, I assimilated it and I don't think about it anymore. If something like this was done, it should be done that way, and that's it ”, he settled.
Sorry for not having been able to say goodbye to the fans "as I would have liked and I think I deserved", the 35-year-old star thanked the Camp Nou crowd for chanting his name in recent games. "It was beautiful. But it was also a strange feeling listening to it and not being there. I would have liked to leave like Busquets or Alba or as happened to Iniesta and Xavi in their day. And I would like to have a real farewell with people at some point. We have enjoyed and experienced many things together, ”he recalled.
He also clarified that his departure to the MLS does not imply the arrival of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. “No, each one looks for their future. I made my decision for myself and I don't know what they are going to do."
And after Miami?
“Obviously I will live in Barcelona. It is one of the things that we are very clear about with my wife and my children. And hopefully, I don't know at what point or what or when but hopefully one day I can contribute something to the club and help because it is a club that I love as I always said. I appreciate the love I had from people during my career and I would like to be here again, yes, "she said.
