Messi: I wanted to return to Barcelona, ​​and I didn't feel comfortable in Paris

Messi: I Wanted to Return to Barcelona, ​​And I didn't Feel Comfortable in Paris

Friday, April 18, 2025

Argentine star Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami player, revealed the backstage details of the period following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, confirming that he had wanted to return to Barcelona, ​​but circumstances prevented this dream from coming true.

Messi said: "Honestly, I had the desire to return to Barcelona. I dreamed of it, but it wasn't possible in the end."

Messi left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 after his contract expired due to the financial crisis that hit the Catalan club, moving to Paris Saint-Germain, where he spent two seasons. He then joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.

He added: "After that, it became a family decision. Winning the World Cup made me feel like I had accomplished everything. I was clear that I didn't want to continue playing in Europe, and I didn't want to join any other club there."

Messi explained that his decision to move to the American league was motivated by a new experience in a different environment, noting that it was an entirely family decision.

He continued: "We wanted to experience life in the United States, with an ambitious club and a project that was still developing. It was a well-thought-out move in every way."

Regarding his time with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi said: "My children were happy, and my wife was always supportive, but personally, I didn't feel comfortable, neither in training nor in matches. It wasn't easy for me."

The former Barcelona star also expressed his great admiration for the team's rising talent, Lamine Yamal, saying: "What Lamine is doing is amazing. He is constantly improving, and I think he will be one of the best players in the world in the future."

Messi also spoke about his former coach, Pep Guardiola, the current Manchester City manager, stressing that he changed the way football is played: "Pep is from another planet. He sees what others don't, and he changed the way football is played. Everyone wanted to imitate him, and some teams even went too far in trying to implement Barcelona's style."

Messi concluded his statements by stressing that he had achieved all his dreams as a player: "I was only missing the World Cup, and I achieved it. Now I feel that I have accomplished everything I dreamed of, and I have no ambitions for anything else."