SAEDNEWS: It's been four years since Lionel Messi's respectful departure from Barca, and many now understand why he left and didn't come back.
According to SaedNews, in the spring of 2023, Lionel Messi was nearing the end of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. Joan Laporta publicly expressed the possibility of the Argentine superstar returning to Barcelona, stating, "We would love for him to return to Barca." Barcelona fans were thrilled with this idea, and Messi himself hoped to return home.
Messi was a free agent with three options: Barcelona (which had not made an official offer and only expressed public interest), Saudi Arabia (which would make him the highest-paid player in history), or the MLS to play for Inter Miami, one of the least significant teams in the US with no historical background. The Barca option was the most attractive, but after months of consideration, Messi concluded that returning to Barcelona would be like playing with his and his family's future. Reluctantly, Messi announced in a joint interview with Sport and Mundo Deportivo, "I am going to Inter Miami."
Why didn't Messi return to Barca? Why did he choose to go to a less significant league outside of European football? Why didn't he return to the home his children longed for? Why didn't he accept the idea of returning to Barca when Laporta said, "We have LaLiga's approval, and we have allocated a place for Messi in our financial planning. His transfer is possible because the club is in a better state now."
During those days, Messi acted calmly and did not blame anyone. He simply stated that he needed to make a rational decision at that moment because he and his family did not want to face the same problems they experienced when leaving Barca. Messi said that Barca had not guaranteed him the registration of his contract.
Four years have passed since Messi's departure under Laporta, and two years since he realized that a return to Barca was practically impossible. Now, the fears and doubts Messi had at that time have become a reality. Dani Olmo is experiencing the same suffering that Messi did not want to face again.
This is the worst way to celebrate the club's 125th anniversary, with the biggest possible disgrace. Olmo's contract might be registered a few weeks later, but Barca will never get rid of this stain of disgrace. Olmo, like Messi at the time, trusted Laporta, but time puts everyone in their place.
The unfinished promises made to Messi during Laporta's tenure have also been repeated with other individuals and matters (Xavi, Koeman, Olmo, the Nou Camp renovation, etc.). Added to these are friendly wages and commissions, signing petty contracts with companies he once condemned even negotiating with. Laporta bases everything on populism and his oratory skills, with championships that have not been achieved. Meanwhile, Real Madrid grows stronger, both athletically and economically.
For these reasons, Messi can be happy that he didn't fall into the trap of returning to Barca and can continue his life in warm and sunny Miami. Thinking of a return might be an option when the crisis at Barca subsides and new management emerges.
