Barcelona president Joan Laporta has explained the reason why superstar Lionel Messi chose to move to Inter Miami instead of returning to the Camp Nou.
The soccer legend is set to be presented as a Miami player in the coming days, in what is a huge coup for both the club and the MLS, but this deal may not have happened if the Argentinian chose to return to Barcelona instead.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Laporta outlined why Messi chose a fresh start in Miami over a last dance at Barcelona, following his exit from Paris Saint-Germain.
“The player wanted it, the father wanted it, but the rhythms are different. We didn’t want what happened last time,” he stated.
“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, 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.”
What are Messi’s aims in Miami?
Miami have made Messi and Sergio Busquets designated players in the hope that the two Barcelona legends can inject some quality into the side, who are currently rooted at the bottom of the table.
Messi may feel that he has accomplished everything he possibly can in European soccer, and a new challenge in the MLS at a struggling club, in a city he is very fond of, may have been more preferable to playing under immense pressure at Barcelona.
If Messi can bring joy to Miami by helping them climb up the table, and even lead them to glory in the next few years, then he will have conquered yet another league, whilst also being able to enjoy his soccer again after a difficult time at PSG.
Fans were critical of both Messi and his other high-profile teammates after failing to deliver Champions League success, and his tough time in Paris seems to have swayed his decision over returning to Barcelona.