Barcelona director on Lionel Messi’s failed return in 2023 – ‘Think it was good for everyone’ | OneFootball

Barcelona sporting director Deco recently sat down for a detailed interview with Globo Esporte in Brazil, where he discussed several key topics including the appointment of manager Hansi Flick, Lamine Yamal’s renewal, and the transfer plans for the summer.

During the chat, the topic of Lionel Messi and his transfer links to the club back in 2023, when Deco had just taken over as the director came up.

Messi had just seen his contract at PSG expire and was heavily linked with a return to Barça, having shockingly left the club in 2021.

The possibility of a move was explored with both parties being keen on a reunion but in the end, it could not materialise and the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner ended up joining Inter Miami in the USA.

‘The pressure might have been too much’: Deco

Addressing the matter, Deco stated that Messi may have opted for Inter Miami so that he could rediscover the joy of playing football after his stint in Paris and it might not have happened at Barcelona due to the pressure that comes with the club.

Messi was linked with a move back to Barcelona in 2023. (Photo by Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images)

“People were talking about Arabia, Miami… Messi’s story is so great, he’s the greatest player in Barcelona’s history, that maybe there are no repetitions. Sometimes it involves personal issues,” noted Deco.

“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 Barcelona, ​​because the pressure would have been too much,” he added.

Concluding, the Barcelona sporting director stated: “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.”

There have been murmurs of Messi’s potential return again recently, but it has been suggested that the former captain is unlikely to come back to Barcelona as long as Joan Laporta remains at the club.