Lionel Messi has revealed he wanted to return to Barcelona after leaving PSG, but circumstances made the move impossible.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
- Messi refused to play for Barca's European rivals
- World Cup win had a big impact on next move
- Became a "family decision"
| Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 |
- Getty Images Sport
WHAT HAPPENED?
In an interview with , Messi shared the revelation that he has wanted to return to Barcelona since leaving. When a move back to Catalonia after leaving PSG fell through, his World Cup success, the needs of his family and a reticence to play for another European team ultimately facilitated his transfer to Inter Miami and MLS.
Advertisement
-
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Reporting in 2023 suggested ongoing financial sanctions against the club would have required Barcelona to sell multiple players to afford Messi's agreed salary of £21m a year. Ultimately, it was decided a move wasn't possible.
-
WHAT LIONEL MESSI SAID
Messi said: "I had the intention of returning to Barcelona and being able to go back to a place I always wanted to be, but it was not possible again.
"After that, it became a family decision. The fact that we won the World Cup also had a big impact. I was clear that I didn’t want to be at another team in Europe, I didn’t want to go to any of them."
- Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?
Inter Miami are back in action on April 19 when they travel to Columbus Crew in MLS.
n8rngtd.top