In a definitive statement regarding his future, Lionel Messi has disclosed that he is on the verge of joining Inter Miami after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires on June 30. The Argentine superstar acknowledged that Barcelona’s financial difficulties had shattered any prospects of a Nou Camp homecoming.
Throughout the final season of his two-year stint at Parc des Princes, speculation has swirled around Messi’s next destination. Rumors of a fairy-tale return to Barcelona, a lucrative move to the Middle East, and interest from Major League Soccer (MLS) have all been circulating.
In a joint interview with Spanish media outlets Mundo Deportivo and Sport, Messi confirmed that his likely destination would be David Beckham’s Miami-based team. Inter Miami promptly fueled the fire by tweeting a video hinting at the move moments after the interview was published.
Messi stated, “I have made the decision to go to Miami. It’s not one hundred percent finalized yet. I’m missing a few details, but we have decided to proceed. If the Barcelona option didn’t materialize, I wanted to leave Europe, step out of the limelight, and prioritize my family.”
His long-standing Barcelona teammate, Sergio Busquets, has also been linked heavily with a move to Inter Miami. However, Messi emphasized that his decision was driven by personal and familial considerations, rather than a reunion in the United States.
“I received offers from other European teams, but I didn’t even consider them because my intention was to return to Barcelona. If that didn’t materialize, then leaving European football after winning the World Cup was the direction I needed to take,” Messi explained.
“Now, I will conclude my career in this country and experience MLS in a different manner. I want to enjoy the day-to-day aspects more while maintaining the same commitment to winning and always performing well, but with a greater sense of tranquility.”
He added, “At this point, I also feel the need to shift the focus away from myself and focus more on my family. The past two years were extremely challenging on a personal level, and I didn’t enjoy them. While I did have an amazing month after winning the World Cup, the rest was a difficult period for me.”
Messi confirmed that Barcelona did approach him about a potential return but expressed lingering disappointment over the circumstances of his departure from the club two years ago, emphasizing that it was not his decision.
The ongoing financial troubles at Barcelona, coupled with the limitations on their transfer activity, presented insurmountable obstacles. Messi deliberately announced his next move early in the summer to find peace of mind.
“I genuinely wanted to return to Barcelona, and I was very excited about it. However, after experiencing what I went through and the manner in which I left, I did not want to find myself in a similar situation again,” Messi asserted.
“I had heard that the club needed to sell players or reduce salaries, and I didn’t want to be a part of that process or shoulder the burden that came with it. While LaLiga had given the green light, the decision was not solely mine as there were many unresolved matters. I simply did not want to relive the same ordeal I had gone through.”
Messi revealed that the club did present a proposal for his return, which was mutually desired, but he ultimately informed them of his decision to head to Miami. He emphasized that the discussions never reached the stage of negotiating a contract.
Regarding the financial aspect, Messi clarified, “There was an intention, but we couldn’t progress any further. We didn’t even engage in formal discussions about money. If it had solely been a financial matter, I could have gone to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere. The offer seemed significant, but my decision was based on other factors, not money.”
Barcelona issued a statement acknowledging that the club had “presented” a proposal for Messi’s return, a move desired by both parties, before being informed of his decision to pursue a future in Miami.
Club President Joan Laporta expressed understanding and respect for Messi’s desire to compete in a league with fewer demands, farther from the spotlight and the pressure he has experienced in recent years. The statement also revealed that Laporta and Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father, would collaborate to arrange a proper tribute from Barcelona fans to honor the beloved footballer.
Major League Soccer welcomed Messi’s decision, with the organization stating, “We are pleased to hear that Lionel Messi intends to join Inter Miami and Major League Soccer this summer. Although formal agreement finalization is pending, we eagerly anticipate welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our league.”
