(Football news) It has been clear for a while that Lionel Messi wasn’t going to continue at Paris Saint-Germain. Despite having good statistics, Messi’s period at PSG wasn’t too successful as he failed to deliver in the big games. PSG signed Lionel Messi along with Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Georginio Wijnaldum to win the Champions League but they were eliminated from the Round of 16 for 2 seasons in a row. The Argentine was also subject to boos from the Paris fans on multiple occasions which may be a big factor in Messi’s decision not to stay.

Publically Barcelona have been speaking about the return of Lionel Messi since the last couple of months. Xavi has been saying how he would like Messi to return and he has also said that he has already started to build a system for him. One shocking revelation by him was that the return depends on Lionel Messi as it is his decision. However now that both parties have released statements there may be a contrast of opinions. Messi said that despite reports of La Liga approving his return, Barcelona never presented a formal offer. The club couldn’t guarantee that he would be registered.

Barcelona last season pulled a lot of financial levers to sign and register players. Lionel Messi claims that Barcelona would have to do the same to register him and he couldn’t wait around for that. Messi also claimed that money wasn’t a factor as he would’ve gone to Saudi Arabia if it was about money. Messi said that he had offers from other European clubs but he decided to start a new journey with Inter Miami. The Argentine also said that he’s not sure if Barcelona did everything possible to sign him as there are many people at the club who don’t want him back.

Barcelona also released a statement in which they said that the club did offer him a proposal. The most shocking part of the statement was “President Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years.” That clearly suggests that Barcelona think Lionel Messi rejected Barcelona because he was tired of the spotlight and pressure. That may well be the case because Messi has achieved more than anyone in Europe.

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