Why did Lionel Messi snub ‘spectacular’ Barcelona return for Inter Miami MLS move? Deco reacts to summer transfer saga & reiterates ‘farewell’ plan

The Argentine icon dropped into the free agent pool when reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. There was plenty of talk at that stage regarding an emotional retracing of steps to Camp Nou, but such a move never materialised as Messi went chasing the American dream.

Deco, who once played alongside Messi and is now sporting director at Barca, has told Lance of the Blaugrana missing out on a stunning coup: “I wasn't in the conversations [about Messi's return]. Obviously, Messi is one of the greatest idols in the club's history. He's happy now and that's what I think he had to look for in his career. About returning to Barcelona, it would have been something spectacular, as he is the greatest player in history, but things ended up happening like this and you can see that he is happy. That's what matters most. He is playing, and I hope he plays for more years, because people who like football, who like him, will be happy to see him happy.”

While Messi will not be turning out for Barca again, with a January loan move also being ruled out, he is being lined up for a return to Camp Nou at some stage in an exhibition or friendly game. Deco added on that plan: “He will definitely play a farewell game at Barcelona, but when that will be, we don't know. He will always be the greatest idol in the club's history. The club had great idols, like [Johan] Cruyff, Ronaldo, but he is perhaps the greatest of all.”

Messi is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, having spent 20 years at the club during which he found the target on 672 occasions and won 35 trophies. He is now tied to a two-and-a-half-year contract at Inter Miami, with that deal including the option for an extension through another World Cup year in 2026.