AFCON 2025
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Lionel Messi has revealed that he pushed for a return to Barcelona after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but the move never materialized.
The 38-year-old, who led Argentina to victory in the tournament, left Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent to join Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.
“I had the intention of returning to Barcelona and being able to go back to a place I always wanted to be, but it wasn’t possible again,” Messi said on Simplemente Fútbol.
“After that, it (deciding on a new club) became a family decision. The fact that we won the World Cup also had a big impact.
“I was clear that I didn’t want to be at another team in Europe, I didn’t want to go to any of them.”
Messi spent 17 years at Barcelona, where he won 35 trophies, including 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns. The former Barca man will lead Inter Miami to the Club World Cup this summer, looking to add to his impressive list of trophies.
