Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has left an indelible mark on the sport. His extraordinary talent, unmatched skill, and incredible goal-scoring ability have made him a true legend of the game. Throughout his illustrious career, Lionel Messi has consistently showcased his brilliance on the pitch, earning numerous accolades and breaking numerous records. From his early days at Barcelona to his current stint at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi's name has become synonymous with football excellence. The impact and influence of Lionel Messi in the world of soccer are simply unparalleled.
Barcelona takes a swipe at Lionel Messi for rejecting their offer, claiming he seeks a league with "lower demands" as he prepares to join MLS team Inter Miami. Messi recently announced that he won't return to Barcelona due to uncertainties surrounding his contract registration with LaLiga, prompting Barca to release a statement acknowledging his decision. The news sparked criticism on social media. Furthermore, Messi's father and representative, Jorge Messi, informed Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta, about his son's intention to join Inter Miami.
"Despite being presented with a proposal by Barcelona, taking into account the mutual desire for Messi to return to the club, President Laporta understood and respected Messi's decision to seek a league with lesser demands, away from the intense spotlight and pressure he has faced in recent years.
Barcelona is currently exceeding their spending limit imposed by LaLiga and can only reinvest 40% of the money saved or generated. Even if Messi were willing to play for free, sources within the league indicate that his presence would still account for €25 million, which is impossible given Barcelona's cap limitations. This situation mirrors the circumstances when Messi left the club in August 2021.
After expressing his intention to join Miami, Messi emphasized that he didn't want to find himself in a similar situation again and wished to have control over his own future."
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, who played a pivotal role in trying to convince Messi to return to the club where he had spent 20 years, expressed his respect for the Argentine forward's decision.
"We had extensive discussions, and I sensed a change in his mindset in recent days," Xavi told Jijantes on Thursday. "It seemed like he wasn't as certain about the return. We have to honor his decision.
"Many times, we fail to put ourselves in other people's shoes and lack empathy. Being Leo, being Messi, cannot be easy. We talk about the spotlight, but imagine what it has been like for him. He has never had any peace.
"When he plays, he is expected to be the best, delivering a flawless performance in every aspect, be it attacking or defending, even not missing a penalty. He hasn't had a good two years [in Paris], and he has explained that.
"The hope of his return was nurtured because we had numerous conversations. We were all excited: him, me, the club... but the circumstances didn't align."
Messi, who will turn 36 later this month, stated that the final details of his move to Miami are yet to be finalized, and his official debut is expected in July after his PSG contract expires.
There is a possibility that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will be joined at his new club by Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets. Sources have confirmed to ESPN that the former Spanish midfielder is in talks with Inter Miami, as well as two clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Xavi emphasized that Barcelona's priority, after missing out on Messi, is to sign a creative midfielder and find a replacement for Busquets, whose contract also expires on June 30.
However, Xavi dismissed the rumors of a potential return for PSG forward Neymar, stating, "That's a surprise. He is not part of our summer plans. I have a great friendship with him, but we have other priorities in the transfer market."
"The club is aware of the players I desire. I won't mention names, but we need a substitute for Busquets and another midfielder to play in an advanced position."
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