Inter Miami Chairman: ‘Hoping Messi Can Depart from Barca in the Right Way’
Inter Miami co-owner, Jorge Mas, affirms his commitment to help Lionel Messi have a proper farewell from Barcelona.
“I’m not sure if Barca wants to organize a friendly match or a farewell for Messi. They have the Gamper Cup game this summer. But there will be a match of that kind, hopefully when Camp Nou reopens, as their stadium is currently under renovation and won’t be used for another year and a half. I hope Messi can bid farewell to Barca in the right way,” Mas stated on the Offside podcast.
Messi’s departure from Barcelona in the summer of 2021 was not smooth. Barcelona announced they couldn’t renew his contract due to financial constraints imposed by La Liga, despite Messi agreeing to a 50% wage cut. Three days later, Messi held a press conference to bid farewell to Barcelona after 21 years of association and joined PSG. Barcelona did not organize a farewell match for the club legend.
Until now, the relationship between Messi and Barcelona – the club that brought him to Europe at the age of 13 – remains unreconciled. This summer, after his contract with PSG expired, there were rumors of negotiations to bring Messi back to Barcelona, but it did not materialize. The Argentine captain chose to move to the United States and play for Inter Miami – a club co-owned by Mas, along with Jose Mas and David Beckham.
“My words don’t mean Messi will return to Barcelona. He won’t be on loan there. True. Messi deserves a proper farewell, and I will do everything within my power to create the conditions for him to do that,” Mas added.
During his 17 years with Barcelona’s first team, Messi scored 672 goals in 778 matches and won 35 titles, including 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions League trophies. His reputation became synonymous with the Catalan club. Hence, Messi’s departure without a proper tribute from Barcelona has left many fans upset.
In Miami, Messi reunited with two former Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. After leaving Vissel Kobe in Japan, midfielder Andres Iniesta is also rumored to be considering a move to Miami. Messi’s close friend, Luis Suarez, is trying to terminate his contract with Gremio to join him on the same team.
