Gerard Pique Slams Barcelona After Catalan Club Failed to Sign Lionel Messi

• Gerard Pique has blamed financial mismanagement for Barcelona failing to re-sign Lionel Messi
• Barca were the favourites to sign Messi after he confirmed he was leaving Paris Saint-Germain
• The Argentine superstar announced he is joining Inter Miami in MLS after two seasons in France

Gerard Pique is angry at his former club, Barcelona, after the Catalan giants missed an opportunity to re-sign Lionel Messi on a free transfer this summer.

Messi was open to returning to Camp Nou but suddenly had a change of heart and decided to pen a deal with Major League Soccer side, Inter Miami instead.

According to 90MIN, Pique lambasted his former club for the financial issues that led to them missing out on signing, who many regard as the greatest footballer of all time.

"I'm glad I left because I gave Barça space on the salary scale. But it seems that, despite this, there are still financial problems. I wonder who should go now. They said that we are responsible for our salaries [Pique, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba]. Now, we've all left and yet they can't sign [Messi]!"

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Pique left Barcelona in December 2022 after 15 successful seasons at the club, mutually terminating his contract to help the Catalans financially.

Messi discusses his Barcelona regret

Meanwhile, Messi has disclosed that he regrets not having a proper send-off from Barcelona when he left the Catalan club to sign for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, PSG Talk reports.

Unlike Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and Gerard Pique, the Argentine veteran did not receive an opportunity to bid farewell to the Catalans in front of a packed crowd at Camp Nou.

Instead, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner held a emotionally-charged press conference to make it official that he would not re-sign due to Barcelona’s serious financial issues.

Barcelona respond after Messi’s transfer

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that after failing in their quest to re-sign their club legend, Barcelona have confirmed they offered Messi a proposal as well.

Barcelona boss makes another bold statement about Lionel Messi

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The six-time Ballon d'Or winner announced on Wednesday he will move to the MLS and join Inter Miami after his contract with PSG comes to an end.

Messi reportedly rejected a lucrative offer to join Saudi Arabian side, Al-Hilal and also turned down the chance to rejoin his former club, Barcelona.