Lionel Messi has chosen to join the United States in 2024 rather than return to Barcelona.
After his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired at the end of the 2022/23 season, Messi has been offered three options to extend his career. The captain of the Argentina team has chosen not to join the Saudi Pro League, with financial problems blocking a possible return to FC Barcelona.
Messi finally agreed to join Inter Miami as part of his plan to continue playing in the years to come. La Liga president Javier Tebas has confirmed that FC Barcelona were in advanced talks with Messi over a return to Spain, but no agreement could be reached between the two parties.
Lionel Messi almost landed at Barça
“Due to the desire of Messi and Barcelona, I considered that a return was close”, said Tebas, quoted by the Daily Mirror. “ I saw it as possible. I’m sure Messi would have liked to retire at Barça.” Messi is currently in pre-season training with Inter Miami before the start of his first full season in Florida.
He scored 11 goals in the first months since arriving in the United States and won the Leagues Cup in Nashville in August.
