Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has revealed that he had strong intentions to return to Barcelona before ultimately making the move to Major League Soccer (MLS). The Argentine legend, now 38 years old, opened up about his desire to rejoin the LaLiga giants following Argentina’s historic 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Speaking to Simplemente Fútbol, Messi explained that the idea of going back to the club where he spent the majority of his career was something close to his heart. “I intended to return to Barcelona, to go back to a place I’ve always loved to be, but once again, it couldn’t happen,” he said.
After his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended, Messi became a free agent. While many fans hoped for a fairytale reunion with Barça, circumstances behind the scenes made the move impossible. Messi didn’t go into detail about what prevented the return, but it’s widely believed that financial and structural issues within Barcelona played a major role.
Instead, the footballing icon chose to take his talents to the United States, joining Inter Miami in the MLS. Messi stated that this decision was deeply influenced by his family and the emotional high of winning the World Cup. “In the end, choosing a new club became a family decision. Winning the World Cup also played a big role in this,” he added.
Messi also made it clear that he was not interested in playing for any other European club apart from Barcelona. “I clearly realized that I didn’t want to play for any other club in Europe. I didn’t want to join any of them.”
During his illustrious 17-season spell at Barcelona, Messi won an astonishing 35 trophies, including 10 LaLiga titles and 4 UEFA Champions League trophies. His contributions to the club remain unmatched, making him one of the greatest players in football history.
Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has already made a significant impact. He helped the club secure its first-ever major trophy by winning the 2023 Leagues Cup, followed by the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. His presence has not only elevated the team’s performance but has also boosted the league’s global visibility.
Although the Barcelona chapter closed differently than many had hoped, Messi continues to write new history in American football.
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