Messi: Barcelona President Admits How It Feels to See Forward in Inter Miami Shirt

Messi: Barcelona President Admits How It Feels to See Forward in Inter Miami Shirt

Ero Samson
updated at July 28, 2023 at 10:04 AM
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  • Lionel Messi recently completed a move to Inter Miami
  • The forward has since lit up the MLS with his stellar performances
  • Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta has revealed how strange it is to see the Argentine star in Miami

Lionel Messi has dominated the headlines since his impressive Leagues Cup debut with Inter Miami.

The World Cup winner started off with a stunning 94th-minute winner against Mexican club Cruz Azul and has built on his performance with a first-half brace against Atlanta United.

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Laporta, Barcelona
Joan Laporta has admitted to how hard it is to see Messi play in the MLS. Image: Hector Vivas.
Source: Getty Images

Messi’s performance has drawn lots of attention to the MLS and Barcelona’s President Joan Laporta has reacted to the Argentine playing in the MLS.

Laporta speaks on Messi

In an interview with ESPN, Laporta made it clear how strange a feeling it is to see his club’s former captain don the jersey of MLS side Inter Miami.

"It's a strange feeling," Laporta said speaking to Dan Thomas about watching Messi play in the United States.
"We identify Messi with Barcelona. That's the way I think most supporters see Messi because most of his career has been at Barca.
"But we respect his decision and we wish the best for him. We want the best for our players. He came to Barcelona as a kid, 14 years old, and he spent 20 years with us. I hope he can be very happy in Miami."

Messi now 36 departed Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain two years ago. However, during the recent summer when his contract with the French club expired, Barcelona made an attempt to bring him back to the club.

Also, it should be recalled that reports from Marca suggested that Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal also extended a contract offer to Messi, but the talented Argentine decided to join Inter Miami instead.

Laporta also took time to clarify the transfer situation that eventually saw his side unable to sign the Argentine earlier in the summer.

"It was very close," the Barca chief added.
"We had to manage our financial fair play situation so we needed time. At the end, we reached an agreement with LaLiga that authorised us to add him to the squad.
"But Leo was coming from a situation in Paris where he was under a lot of pressure.
His father told me that he needed a place where he won't be under pressure and at Barca that would not be the case because of the meaning of the return of our hero."

Tennis star shares Messi selfie

Sports Brief previously reported Tennis star Victoria Azarenka has shared her hilarious selfie with Argentine Star Lionel Messi.

The Belarusian Tennis star has never hidden her love for the beautiful game of football and in the past, she has expressly claimed that she is a fan of Inter Miami's new number 10.

Azarenka had a pitch-side seat and was present at Inter Miami’s 4-0 Leagues Cup win over Atlanta United. She shared a hilarious photo of herself and Messi.

Authors
Ero Samson photo
Ero Samson
Samson Ero is a sports journalist with a track record of over five years in the Nigerian media industry. He graduated from Nigerian Institute of Journalism (2021-2023).
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