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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"matchScheduleId":"bltb15444520f7d565f","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi a Barcelona legend</li><li>Had chance to return in 2023</li><li>Barca chief says move wouldn't have worked out</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lionel Messi the problem? Barcelona chief explains why Inter Miami star's return to the Blaugrana would NOT have worked out 'for everyone'

<p>Following <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/unhappy-lionel-messi-struggles-psg-focus-family/blt2af821eabf436e96" target="_blank">Messi's exit from Paris Saint-Germain</a>, the Argentine was linked with a return to Barcelona in the summer of 2023. Both parties were said to be keen on a reunion, after an <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/messi-in-tears-at-final-barcelona-press-conference-as-he-confirms-psg-move-is-a-possibility/14fm8fdsj9l451l2phubx0s6aa" target="_blank">emotional parting of the ways</a> in 2021, but Deco says it was for the best that Messi did not return to the Catalan outfit as the "pressure would have been too much".</p><p></p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>He told <a href="https://ge.globo.com/futebol/futebol-internacional/futebol-espanhol/noticia/2025/06/09/deco-cita-magia-de-yamal-e-explica-saida-de-vitor-roque-do-barcelona-nao-fomos-capazes-de-ajuda-lo.ghtml" target="_blank">Globo Esporte</a>: “He may have wanted to go to Miami. After Paris, the most important thing was for him to find himself again and be happy. Maybe that wouldn’t have happened at Barcelona, <wbr><wbr>because the pressure would have been too much.
</p><p>“I think it was good for everyone. Barcelona continued on its path, trying to rebuild itself. And Messi continued on his path, scoring goals and being happy.”</p>

WHAT DECO SAID

<p>Instead, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/Lionel-Messi-Inter-Miami-MLS-David-Beckham/bltb547b4dd9d07b2c4" target="_blank">Messi went on to join Inter Miami</a> later that year, and the move has proven to be a masterstroke. The switch has, arguably, allowed the 38-year-old to prolong his career, he has been a cash cow for Major League Soccer and Inter Miami, and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-la-liga-champions-how-hansi-flick-lamine-yamal-dethroned-real-madrid-kings-spain/bltaa9a28f767d24690" target="_blank">Barcelona are now going great guns</a> once again. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Messi, who has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/david-beckham-reveals-lionel-messi-barcelona-return-plan-inter-miami-resigned-eight-time-ballon-d-or-winner-leave-florida/blt15ae088a1a05d629" target="_blank">linked with a return to Barcelona</a> again this year, is now preparing for this <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/former-stars-european-football-watch-club-world-cup/blt3f3f14005329df1e" target="_blank">summer's Club World Cup</a> in the United States, with Miami facing Al Ahly, FC Porto, and Palmeiras in the competition's group stages.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Lionel Messi the problem? Barcelona chief explains why Inter Miami star's return to the Blaugrana would NOT have worked out 'for everyone' | Goal.com

Barcelona sporting director Deco has explained why it was &quot;good for everyone&quot; that Lionel Messi did not make a Blaugrana return in 2023.

Lionel Messi the problem? Barcelona chief explains why Inter Miami star&apos;s return to the Blaugrana would NOT have worked out &apos;for everyone&apos;