Leo Messi is now enjoying happy days at Inter Miami. Even if his franchise did not reach the play-offs, the Argentinian found a smile again in Florida after two difficult years at PSG. He still took advantage of the capital club to compete at the highest level and win the last star that was missing from his immense list of achievements, it was also the most beautiful, that of world champion. He managed to win it at the end of an anthology final against Kylian Mbappé’s France.
This World Cup title also opened the doors to an 8th Ballon d’Or, which he was awarded last Monday at the Châtelet theater in Paris, ahead of Erling Haaland and Mbappé. A form of ultimate accomplishment for someone who, at 36, is living his last years as a football player. “The fact that I became world champion and that I achieved all the objectives that I had set for myself during my career allowed me to think beyond the sporting aspect, to also think for the well-being of my entire family”explains Pulga in her choice to leave France for the United States.
No return to Barça or Europe
In this interview given to France Football, Pulga makes other announcements about its future. The Argentinian confirms that a return to Barça could not happen despite the Catalans’ intentions. He will not return on loan this winter either. “I could have actually returned to Barça, but it couldn’t happen. When I had to leave the club (in 2021), it happened like that. (…) My first idea was always to return home, to be able to play in Barcelona again and to retire there as I had always dreamed of. But it wasn’t possible. So we made the decision to come here (to Miami, editor’s note).”
So no regrets for Messi. He will not return to the club of his heart, or even to Europe except to live there for his post-career, he who still has his home in Barcelona. “I don’t think I’ll come back to play in Europe one day. Of course I will miss playing in the Champions League or playing in La Liga for the rest of my life. (…) But I took advantage of it as much as I could, so I don’t feel any frustration.” Instead, he will try to qualify Inter Miami for the play-offs next season but also fight for a victory in the Copa America with Argentina in 2024 for what will perhaps be his last international tournament in the selection.
