Barcelona Wish Lionel Messi Good Luck As He Chooses Inter Miami Over Them
Lionel Messi had said that it was not a question of money before closing in on a deal with MLS side Inter Miami.
La Liga giants FC Barcelona wished good luck to their former star Lionel Messi after the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner confirmed that he would be joining Major League Soccer's (MLS) Inter Miami on Wednesday (June 7) despite an offer to return to Camp Nou. The club, in an official statement, said that Messi's father and agent has corroborated Messi's decision to move to America instead of returning to Spain.
"Barcelona president (Joan) Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years," an official release from Barcelona read.
"Both Joan Laporta and Jorge Messi also agreed to work together to promote a proper tribute from Barca fans to honor a footballer who has been, is, and always will be beloved by Barça," it added.
After it was made clear that Messi will not be renewing his contract with the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), there were reports which linked him to a move to Saudi Arabia. In addition, Messi was also linked to a return to Barcelona. However, he said that he wanted to remain out of spotlight for a while and spend time with his family.
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In an earlier interview when the deal hadn't been made official, Messi had said that it wasn't a matter of money. The 35-year-old was reportedly offered a $400 million-a-year deal by a club in the Middle East which he rejected for his decision to "enjoy the day-to-day."
"Obviously, with the same responsibility and desire to want to win and to always do things well. But with more peace of mind," the World Cup-winner with Argentina told Spanish news outlets Mundo Deportivo and Sport.
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