Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed what Lionel Messi's father told him before the Argentine decided to take his career to the MLS.
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The 36-year-old appeared destined for a stunning return to the Catalan giants ahead of the 2023/24 season following his free-agent departure from Paris Saint-Germain.
Eventually, however, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner announced he would be joining MLS side Inter Miami, who have subsequently signed Sergio Busquets and appointed ex-Barca manager Gerardo Martino too.
At the time, Barcelona issued a statement in which they seemed to distance themselves from some of what Messi said, particularly pertaining to his claim that he had not received a formal offer from the LaLiga champions.
Laporta has now discussed the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner's decision to join Inter Miami, stating that his father, Jorge Messi, said his son wanted to play without pressure after his time in France.
"Messi wanted to return to Barca," he told Esport 3.
"He had a very difficult time in Paris. His father told me that he didn't want to have that pressure.
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"The Catalans respect him. May he do very well in Miami. Barca will always be his at home."
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