Xavi Reacts to Lionel Messi Snubbing Barcelona for MLS Move

• Xavi has reacted to Lionel Messi's snubbing of Barcelona
• Messi was heavily linked with a possible dream return to the La Liga champions
• He has decided to join Inter Miami instead after departing PSG

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has reacted to Lionel Messi's move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.

According to the ex-Spanish international, who guided Barca to its first La Liga crown since 2019, he is not angry with his former teammate's decision to cross the Atlantic Ocean as he winds down what has been an illustrious career.

Messi stunned the football landscape when he was confirmed as a player of Inter Miami, turning down a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal and a dream return to Barcelona, Sky Sports reports.

The Argentine phenom was heavily linked with a last dance at Camp Nou. However, the club's precarious financial state made the deal near-impossible, leaving him with two options - Al Hilal or Inter Miami.

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Sharing his opinion on Messi's move, Xavi acknowledged he would have preferred Messi to retrace his steps to Catalonia. Nonetheless, he expressed his good wishes for the 2022 World Cup winner.

“It’s Messi’s personal decision, and you have to respect him because he’s the best player in history, but I was convinced we would do well with him in the team.

“I respect Messi and I wish him all the best. It has not been an easy situation for him, that’s clear,” he told Jijantes FC as quoted by Daily Post.

Xavi shuts down Neymar links

Meanwhile, Neymar’s quest to rejoin Barcelona may just have hit a brick wall following Xavi’s latest comments about reports linking the Brazilian with a summer move to the Catalan club, Sports Brief reported.

The 31-year-old forward is apparently fed up with his time at Paris Saint-Germain and has offered his services to the reigning La Liga champions, hoping to secure a return to Camp Nou.

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Xavi has now distanced Barcelona from such rumours in a recent interview, insisting Neymar is not in the plans of the Catalan giants.

Messi joins Inter Miami

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Argentina legend Lionel Messi will join American side Inter Miami after his exit from French champions Paris St-Germain.

The former Barcelona forward rejected a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.

The Miami deal includes collaboration with brands like Adidas and Apple.