Lionel Messi was close to a Barcelona return before moving to Inter Miami this summer.
The Argentine made headlines this year when he stated his intention to sign with the South Florida club. But the move nearly didn’t happen according to a new interview.
In a sit-down conversation with the French newspaper L’Équipe, the World Cup winner spoke about just how close he was to a return to the Spanish giants: “My first idea was always to return home, to be able to play for Barcelona again and to retire there as I had always dreamed of. But it wasn’t possible. So we made the decision to come here [to Inter Miami.]”
Messi went on to say that despite not playing for the club again, he still finds the time to watch their matches: “I continue to follow [Barcelona], to watch the matches, of course, like when I played in Paris. It seems to me that the team has evolved well over time.”
After snubbing a potential Barcelona reunion, the 36-year-old subsequently signed with Inter Miami on July 15th, where he helped the organization win the Leagues Cup, the team’s first trophy in club history.
Messi selecting Inter Miami improves MLS
Messi’s Inter Miami fairy tale has, so far, been a success.
Although the team missed out on the post-season, they enjoyed a fruitful time on the pitch, which saw the club win some silverware.
Had the midfielder gone back to Barcelona, both Miami and Major League Soccer would’ve missed out on the ripple effect that’s happening throughout the league.
Because of Messi’s presence, Inter Miami has the best-selling jersey in America. Additionally, subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass have reportedly skyrocketed to over 1 million.
Ultimately, when he inevitably quits playing, the Argentine will have a lasting legacy in the league.
As the club pivots towards the 2024 season, expect Messi’s impact to continue to influence.