Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted that it’s a strange feeling while watching Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. Messi, who played for Barcelona for almost 17 years after making his debut back in October 2004, aged only 17, recently made his debut for Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup against Cruz Azul.
The talisman was able to hit the ground running, scoring a majestic goal from a free-kick. Messi decided to sign with Inter Miami as he admitted he wanted to play without much pressure and didn’t want to go through the mental torture he went through back in 2021 with Barcelona.
“It’s a strange feeling,” Laporta told ESPN of watching Messi play in the United States. “We identify Messi with Barcelona. That’s the way I think most supporters see Messi, because most of his career has been at Barca.
“But we respect his decision and we wish the best for him. We want the best for our players. He came to Barcelona as a kid, 14-years-old, and he spent 20 years with us. I hope he can be very happy in Miami.”
Meanwhile, Messi was once again close to signing with his former club Barcelona and also had a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League’s club Al-Hilal. The Argentine played for Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons after his contract could not be renewed with the Catalan club due to La Liga financial limitations in 2021.
“It was very close,” the Barca chief added. “We had to manage our financial fair play situation so we needed time. At the end, we reached an agreement with LaLiga that authorised us to add him to the squad.
“But Leo was coming from a situation in Paris where he was under a lot of pressure. His father told me that he needed a place where he won’t be under pressure and at Barca that would not be the case because of the meaning of the return of our hero.”
Laporta added Messi can help Major League Soccer get to new heights with his experience as well as skills.
“In Miami, it is different for him, it’s a new league for him, one that is improving and Messi can help with the developing of the league,” added Laporta.
“With Busquets and Jordi Alba as well, maybe Luis Suárez. It will be very attractive for the fans in the United States. So he preferred to go to Miami. We respected it and understood his decision.
Messi also scored a brace for Inter Miami in his team’s thumping 4-0 win against Atlanta United. Inter Miami will next take on Orlando City on 2nd August.
