Lionel Messi has declared his intention to move to Inter Miami instead of returning to Barcelona. He revealed why in a special interview.

“The truth is that of course I would have loved to return to Barça, I would have been very happy to be able to return, but on the other hand, after what I have experienced and the farewell, I did not want to repeat the same situation, which is to wait to see what happens and leave my future in the hands of others, so to speak,” Messi said in an exclusive interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport, explaining why he did not decide to return to Barcelona. I wanted to make my own decision taking into account my family and myself.

The farewell at the end of the summer of 2021 was too traumatic for Messi and left him with an unhealed wound.

“I don’t really like being portrayed as a villain in movies because that’s not how it is. I wanted to say goodbye in person to the people I lived with, loved and endured so much at some point because of that. I wanted to say goodbye because I deserved it after all the years we spent together,” Messi said.

“I wanted to say goodbye like I did today with Busi (Sergio Busquets), Jordi (Alba), or like what happened with Xavi and Iniesta, so I went in a strange way. Even though there couldn’t be anyone in the stadium because of the pandemic, I wanted to leave like that so I could say goodbye to everyone in a positive way. I wanted to know that I was having fun and that I was playing with other people. I get very emotional when I hear my name in Barcelona or at the Nou Camp because of that.

Messi was also asked about his family’s reactions to the prospect of returning to Barcelona: “Everything my family has heard has made them very happy, but at the same time we are not very excited because we don’t know what will happen. Obviously they are very keen to return. We never wanted to leave, which was very difficult, but they also supported me and it was a decision of the whole family, not just mine.”

“Although they are sad to leave, they are happy for the change. It was difficult at first, but now they are more accustomed to Paris. Having to keep my children away from their schoolmates is painful. They are adults. Above all, Thiago understands the situation and is happy for what is to come.”

Messi said: “I have spoken very little with President Laporta, once or twice at most,” referring to his recent interactions with Barcelona. “I have spoken a lot with Xavi. We also talked about the possibility of my return. We talked about whether he really wanted me to come back, whether it would be beneficial for the squad and for him, and we stayed in touch, so we were excited when something came up.”