Lionel Messi explains here why he chose Inter Miami over Barcelona, Saudi Arabia

Argentine soccer icon Lionel Messi, who announced Wednesday that he is finalizing a deal to spend the next stage of his career with Inter Miami, explained the reasoning behind his decision in an exclusive interview with Mundo Deportivo, a Barcelona-based sports media outlet.

Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-German expires June 30, and word was that his first choice was to return to FC Barcelona, where he spent 21 years since joining as a teenager. He also had a $500 million offer to play for Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal.

He explains in the interview why he decided to accept the Inter Miami offer. According to a source with knowledge of the contract terms, it is a two-and-a-half-year deal with an option for 2026. His financial package includes salary, bonuses and equity in the team and is valued at $125 million to $150 million. He also stands to earn considerable income from MLS sponsors Apple and adidas, who are working on deals with him that would pay him based on league growth he helps generate.

Here is what Messi had to say…

Q: Did you consider a return to FC Barcelona?

A: Yes, the truth is, I obviously really wanted to, very excited to be able to return, but, on the other hand, after having experienced what I experienced and the exit I had, I did not want to be in the same situation again. Didn’t want to wait to see what would happen and leave my future in someone else’s hands, so to speak. I wanted to make my own decision, thinking about myself, about my family. Although I heard that it was said that LaLiga had accepted everything and that everything was fine for him to return, there were still many other things that had to be done. I heard that they had to sell players or lower player salaries, and the truth is that I didn’t want to go through that, or be responsible for something that had to do with all that. I have already been accused of many things that were not true in my career at Barcelona, and I was already a bit tired, I did not want to go through all that.

Q: So, the main reason you are not returning to Barcelona is?

A: I wanted to make my own decision, and that’s why I didn’t turn to Barça. Although I would have loved it, I couldn’t. I am also in a moment where I want to get out of the spotlight a bit, think more about my family. I had that month that was spectacular for me for having won the World Cup, but removing that, it was a difficult stage for me. I want to find again the enjoyment, with the enjoyment of my family, my children, the day to day.

Q: Will you bring your former teammate Sergio Busquets with you to Inter Miami?

A: That is one of the other things that was said, that I was going with Busi and Jordi to Arabia, that we already had everything arranged. No, each one looks for his own future. Obviously, I was aware of them and what they were going to do, but we never agreed to go anywhere together. I made my decision for myself, and I don’t know what they are going to do. Mine was a bit thinking about everything we talked about in this interview and I have nothing lined up with anyone.

Q: When you talk about wanting to step out of the spotlight a bit, what do you mean?

A: I had offers from other European teams but I didn’t even evaluate them because my idea was to go to Barcelona and if the Barcelona thing didn’t come out, analyzing it, then leaving European football and much more after winning the World Cup, which was what I needed to complete my career on this side and living the United States League in a different way and enjoying day to day much more but with the same responsibility of wanting to win and always doing things well but with more peace of mind.