- Tebas reveals Messi wanted Barca retirement
- Argentine instead went to MLS
- FFP concerns pushed Argentine to Miami
Getty Images‘Lionel Messi would have liked to retire at Barcelona’ - Inter Miami star’s return to Catalonia was ‘close’, says La Liga president Javier Tebas, before eventual move to MLS
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
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Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
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Over 28 monthsSave 67%
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Basic
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.
Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.
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Getty ImagesWHAT TEBAS SAID
"Personally, because of Messi's and Barca's desire, I saw it as close," he said, translated from a Spanish livestream on Kick. "When there is that affection, many economic issues are left aside. I saw it as possible. I saw it as close. I am sure that Messi would have liked to retire at Barca."
GettyWHAT MESSI SAID
The Argentine responded to rumors of his desire to retire in Catalonia back in June 2023. He confirmed them, but also logically explained that the best scenario for both parties would be to end things where they originally ended.
"I really wanted, I was very excited to be able to return [to Barcelona], but after having experienced what I experienced and the exit I had [last time], I did not want to be in the same situation again - waiting to see what was going to happen. I heard that they had to sell players or lower players' salaries, and the truth is that I didn't want to go through that, nor take charge of obtaining something that had to do with all that."
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Getty WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?
The Herons wrap up their 2024 MLS World Tour preseason journey with a visit to the Argentine's hometown club, Newell's Old Boys. Then, their 2024 MLS campaign begins on February 21 against USMNT prospect Diego Luna and Real Salt Lake.
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