Barcelona's club president Joan Laporta has detailed Lionel Messi's reasons for snubbing an emotional return to Camp Nou this summer.
The Argentine superstar is gearing up to complete his landmark switch to Inter Miami in the coming days after rejecting the advances of the Blaugrana and the Saudi Pro League to move to MLS. The 36-year-old - widely considered to be the greatest player in the history of the sport - is due to be unveiled by the MLS outfit on July 16 and jetted into Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday to complete the deal.
Despite relocating across the Atlantic, Messi will not feel too far away from his old Catalonia home, with former Barça midfield maestro Sergio Busquets also expected to complete a transfer to the franchise. Their former teammate Jordi Alba could also join them in South Beach after leaving the club he served for a decade at the end of last month, as per the Miami Herald.
On top of this, former Barcelona boss Tata Martino has been named as Phil Neville's successor as coach, meaning that Messi will likely find a home away from home in Vice City. It is worth noting that the World Cup winner came very close to a return to the club where he made his name earlier this summer, however.
According to the outspoken Laporta, Messi was eager to move back to the LaLiga giants, especially experiencing mixed fortunes during his couple of years in the French capital. The veteran forward's departure for PSG in 2021 shocked the football world but the union did always appear slightly awkward, with fans having booed him towards the end of his time at Parc des Princes.
Now, the Barcelona chief has opened up on Messi's explanation for moving to Inter Miami instead of back to Barcelona. Laporta told Mundo Deportivo: “He told us that he decided to join Inter Miami because he had spent very difficult seasons in Paris, where he was under a lot of pressure.
He also explained that the diminutive forward was reluctant to spend more time in the glaring spotlight that playing for a club of Barcelona's stature can bring. He added: "While in Miami he would be calmer and could think about the national team and that."
"Although he wanted to come to Barça, he didn’t want to spend another year like this. It’s understandable and we’re working on a great tribute to [Lionel] Messi that Barça should do."
The iconic star has left Europe for the first time at club level after landing a staggering 43 major honours during one of the most storied careers in sports history. His move to the US has captured the public consciousness stateside, with tickets for all away games versus his new employers having long since sold out.
The former Barcelona hero is set to attend the official welcoming ceremony later this week at Inter Miami's DRV PNK Stadium, with his debut expected to come later in the month. As it stands, the Leagues Cup clash with Cruz Azul looks the most likely date that Messi will make his bow for his new club.
