Lionel Messi will remain an eternal icon for Barcelona. No matter where he plays, the star’s heart will always be lurking in the Catalan city. But after a not-so-successful stint in Paris, what potentially could have disallowed him to join FC Barcelona back this year? Some choices ought to be made for a broader benefit. Clarifying the matter, the club’s president, Joan Laporta, mentions what stopped La Pulga’s homecoming.

The FC Barcelona legend left the Blaugrana reluctantly. Paris Saint-Germain could not receive him like his previous club. However, even after intending, his comeback was tarnished because of a deeper cause.

Joan Laporta reveals why Lionel Messi diverted to Inter Miami

The Argentine forward was interested in going back, as reports suggested earlier this year. But things did not work out, as Messi revealed he did not want to trouble the club with finances. However, Laporta blamed PSG for exerting pressure on the star, which could not allow him to focus on Argentina. According to Sport, Laporta said, “He told us that he had decided to join Inter Miami because he had spent some very difficult seasons in Paris, where he was under a lot of pressure, whereas in Miami he would be calmer and could think about the national team and that,”(translated by DeepL).

The player left Paris with a bitter heart. Messi later confessed that moving to PSG was never in his plan, but the unexpected exit from Barcelona led him to make that decision. His former teammate Neymar also claimed he had a torrid time at PSG.

Messi’s performances in his first year were never convincing. The fans could observe the decline in his mojo, with the star scoring just six goals that season in Ligue Un. However, the extreme club fanatic group, PSG Ultras, has set a negative tone since the beginning by booing the star. Despite his exit to the US, the fans will hope to see their homegrown soon.

What about Messi’s farewell?

You might have guessed it right. Laporta has promised to host a farewell match for their highest goal scorer. The player himself would love to reunite with the city and the fans to bid adieu. The match is expected to take place once the WIP Camp Nou renovation is done.

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Laporta reassured that the affair would be grand, unlike a tearful ending to the player’s illuminating career at the club. He stated, “It’s understandable, and we’re working on a great tribute to Messi that Barça should do.” With the unrepeatable legacy Messi created in Barca, every fan, not just the Cules would like to see such a tribute.

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