Messi announced a new engagement! If it were about money, I’d go to Saudi Arabia, he says. He also explained his departure from Europe and why he won’t return to Barcelona

And the speculation is over, it’s clear. Lionel Messi has officially announced that he is retiring from Europe and his new team will be Inter Miami. In a fresh interview with Mundo Deportivo, he explained his moves and revealed why a return to Barcelona didn’t work out.

Messi new player at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi has a contract in Paris until the end of June, but he is already clear about his next move. There has been speculation about his future for the last few months. Even before PSG’s Champions League finish, an extension of his engagement in France looked promising, but then everything changed.

A return to Barcelona was in the cards, and an astronomical sum from Saudi Arabia came in, but in the end the best footballer in history will become a star of Inter Miami. The player himself confirmed this to Mundo Deportivo.

Although there are still formalities and formalities to be finalized, Messi is fully determined to sign for the Florida club. When his return to Barcelona didn’t work out, he reportedly didn’t want to stay in Europe any longer. He wanted to get out of the spotlight.

Why didn’t he return to Barcelona?

“I really wanted to. I was excited to be allowed to return, but after what I experienced when I left, I didn’t want to face the same situation. Waiting to see what happens, having my future in someone else’s hands,” Lionel Messi spoke about his failed return to Catalonia.

The aforementioned Saudi Arabia was also in play, but as the Argentine himself says, his decision was definitely not about money. It did not play a role in his decision.

In Miami, Messi wants to enjoy his family more. However, he was even more expansive about his failed comeback. He has been in contact with coach Xavi often, but not so much with club president Joan Laporta.

“I wanted to make my own decision. To think about myself, about my family. Even though it was said that La Liga had approved everything, there were still many other things to do. Barcelona would have to sell players, cut player salaries. I didn’t want to do any of that. I have already been accused of many things that were not true during my career at Barcelona,” says the Argentine.

Messi simply didn’t want to take responsibility for something so unpleasant. “Money was neither a problem nor an obstacle for me. We didn’t even have to discuss the contract. But the offer was never formal, written or signed,” he added.

That he was convinced Barcelona had done enough for his return cannot be said. But he said it was a matter for the club. During Wednesday, however, the club was unable to confirm 100% that Messi can return, but he understands that given the situation. However, it did have an impact on his decision.

Among other things, the seven Ballon d’Or winner believes there are people at the club who do not want him to return. However, he wants to return to Barcelona one day to repay it for everything it has done for him.

Source: Mundo Deportivo, Sport.es