Lionel Messi’s dream since his tough 2021 departure had all the time been to return to FC Barcelona, an try he made a number of occasions however finally by no means achieved. One of many closest moments got here in 2023, simply earlier than he accomplished his transfer to Inter Miami, however the plan fell aside once more. Now, new particulars about that failed operation have come to gentle.
The method started simply days after Messi lifted the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, whereas in France many PSG followers remained unconvinced by his performances, resulting in waves of boos on the Parc des Princes. In January, Messi phoned then-Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández to share his resolution to return to the membership on the finish of the season, when his PSG contract was set to run out.
Upon receiving Messi’s name, Xavi instantly pushed for the transfer to occur and began outlining a plan to reintegrate his longtime teammate into the squad. The method accelerated in February 2023 when Messi invited Xavi to fulfill along with his father and agent, Jorge Messi. The coach knowledgeable membership president Joan Laporta, who grew excited a couple of reunion after how issues unraveled in 2021.
Months later, in April, Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany advised Xavi that La Liga had given the inexperienced gentle for the operation to maneuver ahead in July, paving the way in which for a contract to be drafted: a two-year cope with solely minor particulars remaining. Approaching the tip of his PSG deal, Messi anticipated his return to Barcelona to lastly materialize, however the state of affairs modified abruptly within the last stretch.
Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain.
In late April, Jorge Messi contacted Xavi to tell him that the deal was off as a result of La Liga had finally blocked the switch. With the league and membership executives shifting their stance, Messi, by then a free agent following the June 30 expiration of his PSG contract, grew uninterested in ready for the Catalan membership and finally selected to signal with Inter Miami, placing the long-awaited return on maintain once more.
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Messi and a damaged relationship with Laporta
In 2020, Messi participated in Barcelona’s presidential elections for the primary time, and whereas the vote was secret, it was broadly assumed he supported Joan Laporta, who had beforehand served as president from 2003 to 2010 and maintained a powerful relationship with Jorge Messi. However the occasions of 2023 seem to have pushed the Messi household to some extent of no return.
Since his 2021 departure, Messi has repeatedly expressed his want to return to Barcelona, citing his deep roots and emotional attachment to town. All through that interval, nonetheless, he has prevented mentioning Laporta, who has acknowledged that the connection with the membership legend has deteriorated.
Throughout his current go to to the Camp Nou, Messi didn’t notify any Barcelona officers, one other signal of the strained relationship with the board. With new rumors of a possible return reappearing, Messi’s comeback appears unlikely so long as Laporta stays in command of the membership.
