Finally, Lionel Messi’s future took a totally surprising turn. After intense negotiations, the Argentine player has decided not to return to Barcelona and has revealed that he will join Inter Miami.
In a joint interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport, Messi explained the reasons behind his decision.
Despite his initial desire to return to Barça, past experiences and the uncertainty surrounding the club led him to opt for a new path.
Messi expressed concern about Barcelona’s financial problems and the possibility of having to reduce salaries or sell players to comply with LaLiga regulations.
Not wanting to repeat the previous situation, in which his future was left in the hands of others, the Argentine star decided to look for an option outside Europe to protect his family and get away from the media spotlight.
Although he has yet to fully close the deal with Inter Miami, Messi has made it clear that he will continue his journey in that direction.
Negotiations beyond economic issues
Messi’s choice to join Inter Miami instead of accepting the tempting offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, who were offering him an astronomical sum of money, shows that his priorities go beyond financial matters.
The Argentine has opted for a project that includes benefits related to Major League Soccer (MLS) revenues, such as the television broadcast package and earnings from its sponsor Adidas.
In addition, the possibility of Messi acquiring a team of his own once he retires, as was agreed with David Beckham, has been agreed.
The disagreement between Messi and Barcelona was largely due to a lack of synchronization in timing.
While the player sought an immediate response, the club needed time to adjust its salary structure and comply with the viability plan agreed with LaLiga.
Although there was interest, in the end both parties resigned themselves to reality.
A Barcelona spokesman confirmed that Messi will not return to the club.
FCB and financial constraints
It is clear that Barcelona could not offer Messi a concrete proposal due to financial constraints and the need to balance the books.
As time went by without a clear answer from the club, the Argentinean became emotionally distant and considered other options.
The lack of a solid sporting project and the uncertainty surrounding the club’s viability also played an important role in Messi’s final decision.
Inter Miami, managed by David Beckham, offers Messi the opportunity to start a new stage in his soccer career and get away from the pressures and expectations in Europe.
