From the onset, it was always clear that Lionel Messi wanted to return to Barcelona. He never wanted to leave. But FC Barcelona’s own financial mismanagement forced the soccer legend’s eventual move to Paris Saint-Germain and prevented a return in 2023.
Barcelona chose to ignore that context in its official reaction to the news that Messi would be joining Inter Miami in MLS this summer. Instead of honoring arguably the greatest player in the game’s history — and certainly the best player in FCB’s storied history — club president Joan Laporta seemingly took a shot at Messi’s decision.
