90min

Lionel Messi admits he 'wasn't prepared' to leave Barcelona

  • Messi has opened up on his departure from Barcelona
  • The forward spent over two decades at the Spanish club
  • Aged 36, the World Cup winner now turns out for Inter Miami in MLS

By Jack Gallagher

Messi has discussed his Barca departure
Messi has discussed his Barca departure / Rich Storry/GettyImages
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Lionel Messi has admitted he was "not prepared" to leave Barcelona when he was forced out of the club in 2021, despite agreeing a new contract to stay.

The Argentine forward spent over 20 years on the books at Barca, coming through the youth system and going on to become the greatest footballer in their history. In 778 appearances in all competitions, Messi bagged a club record 672 goals, winning 10 La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues and lifted six of his Ballon d'Or gongs thanks to his remarkable performances.

The footballing world was left in shock when Barcelona confirmed that, due to their financial situation, they were unable to register Messi's contract for the 2021/22 season, leading to the forward joining Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent shortly afterwards.

Speaking with Big Time, Messi looked back and admitted it was a "difficult" situation.

“The change was difficult when I went to PSG, because I was doing very well in Barcelona and I planned to stay there," the Inter Miami star explained.

Lionel Messi
Messi is starring in MLS / Megan Briggs/GettyImages

"I was not prepared to leave, everything happened very quickly, I had to rebuild my life from one day to the next. I got to know another league, another club, a new dressing room. It was a change that we were not looking for and that is why it was difficult at first."

Following his two-year spell at PSG, Messi wanted to re-join Barcelona during the 2023 summer transfer window, insisting he "tried but it was not possible". The legendary forward, however, instead opted to join MLS outfit Inter Miami due to the need for other La Blaugrana players to lower their wages at the club in order to facilitate his return to Catalunya.

"I heard it was said La Liga had accepted that everything was fine for me to return, there were still many other things that had to be done," Messi said last summer. "I heard that [Barcelona] had to sell players or lower player salaries and the truth is that I didn't want to go through that."

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