Lionel Messi reveals that he ‘wanted’ to return to FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi, despite his current playground being the MLS and Inter Miami, will forever be remembered as an FC Barcelona icon and legend. The Argentine parted ways with the Spanish club back in 2021, in a rather emotional affair for the player, his fans and the club. Messi the went on to play for Paris Saint-Germain in France for two seasons, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles and other domestic accolades.
After a two-year stint with the French giants, the Argentine made the surprising decision to join MLS side and David Beckham owned club Inter Miami. Wearing his iconic No 10, the forward has been an elemental part of their success in recent seasons. Despite Messi’s current situation at Miami and his passion on display week in, week out, the veteran revealed that he thought about returning to Spain in 2023, after his contract with the Parisiens ran out.
“I had the intention of returning to Barcelona and being able to go back to a place I always wanted to be, but it wasn’t possible again”, Lionel Messi said in an interview with Simplemente Fútbol. Although Messi refrained from going into the details, a prominent reason could have been Barcelona’s difficult financial situation, which was also a major reason for his departure in the first place.
Adding to the same, Messi said, “After that, it (deciding on a new club) 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”. Messi then went on to sign for Miami in July 2023, and has till date, won the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield.