News: Lionel Messi, the football sensation who surprised the world by joining Inter Miami this summer, is now poised for a heartfelt return to the city where he became a legend – Barcelona. Owner Jorge Mas has enthusiastically confirmed that Messi is eager to bid farewell to his most passionate fans in the Catalan capital.
The Battle for Messi’s Signature
Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami may have seemed like an obvious choice, but Jorge Mas reveals that the competition for his signature was fierce. As the reigning best player in the world, Messi had multiple options on the table, including renewing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), returning to Barcelona, and lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia. Mas recounts, “Being the best player in the world, there was a lot of competition. Not only with PSG’s renewal proposal but also the possibility of returning to Barcelona and enticing offers from Saudi Arabia. Frankly, these were very intense months for negotiations. I had multiple meetings spanning cities like Rosario, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Miami, and Doha.”
The Perilous Path to Messi’s Departure
Reflecting on the turbulent negotiations, Mas admits that at times, it seemed like Messi’s departure from Barcelona was in jeopardy. The pressure was immense, and Messi’s exit from the club he had considered his home since childhood was far from ideal. Mas states, “Did I see the operation in danger? Definitely. There was a lot of pressure. Messi’s departure from Barcelona was not his preference. He couldn’t bid farewell to the club that embraced him as a young talent. The circumstances were not what Lionel wanted.”
Inter Miami’s Patient Pursuit
Inter Miami had a unique advantage in their pursuit of Messi – their offer had been meticulously crafted over the past four years. Mas explains, “Our vision was to offer Messi’s son the opportunity to create a new legacy by transforming a sport in a country. Such opportunities are rare for any athlete. I maintained constant communication with Jorge [Messi]. It took four and a half years to convince Lionel and his family to make this decision. I never lost faith. I was convinced that Lionel Messi would eventually join us. After the World Cup, I saw a significant possibility, and by January or February, we were close to sealing the deal.”
A Heartwarming Promise
Despite Messi’s move to Inter Miami, Mas has made a heartfelt commitment to Messi’s fans and the football community. He pledges that Messi will have the chance to say a proper goodbye to his Barcelona fans in the coming two years. Mas emphasizes, “I gave him my word that I will do everything within my power to ensure that he gets the opportunity to bid farewell to his beloved fans in Barcelona. Inter Miami will make this happen, and we are considering organizing a special match for this memorable occasion.”
A Bittersweet Departure
One of the great tragedies of Messi’s departure is that he left Barcelona without the grand farewell he deserved. Not only did he play his final game at an empty Camp Nou, but he was also unaware that it would be his last appearance, with Barcelona President Joan Laporta previously assuring fans that Messi would remain with the Blaugrana.
In conclusion, Lionel Messi’s journey from Barcelona to Inter Miami was marked by intense negotiations and unexpected twists. However, fans can take solace in the promise of a heartwarming reunion in Barcelona, as Jorge Mas is committed to ensuring that Messi gets the farewell he truly deserves.
