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Messi explains decision to snub Barca “dream” for MLS move

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The Argentine icon has decided to continue his career at Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi has opened up on Barcalona’s failed attempt to secure his return to Camp Nou.

After weeks of speculation over Messi’s next destination, the Argentine superstar finally announced his decision to join Inter Miami on Wednesday.

The MLS club won the transfer race to sign Messi amid competition from Barcelona and Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. The move will be tough to swallow for the Catalan fans who were excited to see the club legend back at Camp Nou.

However, Messi explains similar problems that led to his Barcelona exit in 2021 have prevented him from rejoining the club.

“If it had been a matter of money, I’d have gone to Arabia or elsewhere. It seemed like a lot of money to me,” Messi told Mundo Deportivo (via Fabrizio Romano).

“The truth is that my final decision goes elsewhere and not because of money.”

He added: “I really wanted to return to Barça, I had that dream. But after what happened two years ago, I did not want to be in the same situation again, leaving my future in the hands of someone else.

“I wanted to take my own decision, thinking of me and my family.”

With the likes of Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba leaving Barcelona, it seemed the club were in pole position to complete a free move for Messi. However, it seems the club were still not able to guarantee Messi’s registration in La Liga due to their bloated wage bill.

“I heard reports of La Liga giving the green light but the truth is that many, really many things were still missing in order to make my return to Barça happen.

“I didn’t want to be responsible for them to sell players or reduce salaries. I was tired.”

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