Barcelona director Deco shared his perspective on the club’s failed attempt to re-sign Lionel Messi during the summer of 2023. The Argentine superstar, widely regarded as Barcelona’s greatest legend, was unable to return to Camp Nou due to persistent financial difficulties at the club, despite mutual interest from both parties. Deco, who also became the club’s sporting director that year, explained why the move ultimately fell through and how it affected both Barcelona and Messi.
Messi had left Barcelona in August 2021 after the club’s financial troubles prevented a contract renewal, leading him to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a two-year free agent deal. After his contract with PSG expired in 2023, Messi aimed to return to his boyhood club, and Barcelona was eager to welcome him back. However, ongoing economic challenges meant that the deal never came to fruition.
Deco comments on Messi’s future path and its benefits for both sides
In an interview with Globo Esporte, Deco discussed the circumstances surrounding Messi’s attempted return that year. He noted that Messi’s personal considerations played a significant role in the outcome. Deco said,
“People were talking about Arabia, Miami. Messi’s story is so great, he’s the greatest player in Barca’s history, that maybe there are no repetitions. Sometimes it involves personal issues. He may have wanted to go to Miami. After Paris, the most important thing was for him to find himself again and be happy. Maybe that wouldn’t have happened at Barca, because the pressure would have been too much.”
He also expressed that the result, while disappointing to some, ended up being positive for both Messi and Barcelona:
“I think it was good for everyone. Barcelona continued on its path, trying to rebuild itself. And Messi continued on his path, scoring goals and being happy.”
Following the failed move, Messi signed with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. His contract with Inter Miami currently extends until December 2025, though there has been no official update on his plans beyond that period.
Messi opens up about his wish to return to Barcelona and subsequent move to Miami
In a candid interview with Mundo Deportivo, Lionel Messi shared his feelings regarding the attempted 2023 return to Barcelona. After winning the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, Messi said he hoped to come back to Barcelona, describing it as his “home” and where his career started. However, he acknowledged that this comeback was ultimately impossible:
“After the World Cup I couldn’t see myself in another European team that wasn’t Barça. My goal was to come back to my home, where everything started. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.”
Messi also explained that his decision to join Inter Miami centered on personal and family reasons rather than professional ones:
“The decision to come here was purely a family decision. We came to the United States, to Miami, to live this new experience.”
Despite ongoing speculation about Messi’s potential future involvement with Barcelona—either as a player or in another role—recent reports suggest that his relationship with President Joan Laporta complicates any possible return. This strained connection appears to diminish the likelihood of Messi rejoining Barcelona in the near future.