Spanish journalist David Bernabeu of Sport.es provided the full picture of the Argentine forward Lionel Messi's failed return to Barcelona in the summer of 2023.
According to his data, the deal was almost finalized. La Liga had pre-approved the transfer, and then-Barcelona coach Xavi supported the Argentine's return, with the Catalan club having already prepared a contract for Lionel Messi.
It is noted that Lionel Messi informed Xavi that he wanted to return to the Camp Nou and was ready to accept a new role on the team.
However, a few days later, the situation changed drastically. After Jorge Messi met with the Catalan club's management, it became clear that La Liga would not be able to issue final clearance for the contract registration, as Barcelona's financial situation at the time did not allow the operation to be completed.
As a result, Barcelona were forced to suspend the process, and the uncertainty about his future pushed Lionel Messi toward a move to America's Inter Miami from France's PSG, where he had gone in the summer of 2021 after leaving the Catalan club.
Recall that Lionel Messi is a La Masia graduate and played for the Barcelona senior team between 2000 and 2021, scoring 672 goals and providing 303 assists in 778 matches, and becoming a ten-time Spanish champion, a four-time Champions League winner, a three-time UEFA Super Cup winner, and a three-time FIFA Club World Cup winner with the Catalans.
The 38-year-old Argentine previously admitted that he had wanted to spend his entire career at Barcelona.
