Lionel Messi announces decision to join Inter Miami instead of Barcelona
Argentine football legend Lionel Messi after confirming his exit from Paris Saint Germain, was rumored to be rejoining former club FC Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga.
The Argentine has been struggling to emulate the same form he was in at Barcelona at the Parc de prince despite helping the Parisians to win the French Ligue 1.
After announcing his decision to join the MLS club, Lionel Messi had these to say ” if it had been money, I’d have gone to Arabia or elsewhere. It seemed like a lot of money to me”.
“The truth is that my final decision goes elsewhere and not because of money”.
ESPN FC:
Messi: “I’ve been supporting Barça during the year, I’m a fan. I spoke to Xavi a lot, we discussed and we always had frequent exchanges”, told MD.
Messi: “I really wanted to return to Barça, I had that dream. But after what happened two years ago, I did not want to be in the same situation again, leaving my future in the hands of someone else…”.
“I wanted to take my own decision, thinking of me and my family”.
Lionel Messi: “I heard reports of La Liga giving the green light but the truth is that many, really many things were still missing in order to make my return to Barça happen”, told MD
“I didn’t want to be responsible for them to sell players or reduce salaries. I was tired”.
Lionel Messi: “I’d have loved a farewell like Iniesta, Busquets, Jordi Alba, Xavi… this is why I was very happy to hear the chants with my name by Barça fans at Camp Nou”.
“It was a strange feeling to hear Barça fans calling my name but then… I wasn’t there”.
Lionel Messi: “Money, never been an issue with me. We didn’t even discuss the contract with Barcelona! They sent me a proposal but was never an official, written and signed proposal”
“We never negotiated my salary. It wasn’t about money otherwise I was going to join Saudi”.
Messi: “I was dreaming of Barça return, yes; but I was never sure about that happening because I remember very well the story of August 2021, two years ago”, told MD.
“I didn’t want to tell my kids: we go back to Barcelona! And then, nothing. I was quiet”.
Messi: “I’m not sure if Barça did everything possible to make it happen, honestly; I just know what Xavi told me…”
“I’m sure that there’s people into the club that does NOT want me to return to Barça, considering that negative for the club”.
Messi: “Busquets to Inter Miami? This was a lie, saying I was going to same club as Jordi Alba and Busi. No, we never agreed to join the same club”.
“I made my decision to join Miami and I don’t know what they are gonna do”.
Messi: “I received bids from other European clubs but I didn’t even considered those proposals because my only idea was to join Barcelona in Europe”.
“With Barça deal collapsing, I wanted to try something different now in Miami”.
A statement from FC Barcelona says:
“Jorge Messi told Laporta about Leo’s decision to sign for Inter Miami despite having a proposal from Barça”.
“Both Laporta and Jorge Messi have also set out to work together to promote a great tribute to a player who will always be loved by Barça”.
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Source: Xtratsports.com
