FC Barcelona respond to Lionel Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami

FC Barcelona have released a statement on Lionel Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami.

Messi will not sign FC Barcelona this summer and will join MLS side Inter Miami. It is a decision that the La Liga club had hoped would be the other way around, but despite this, they wished the Argentine forward luck in an official statement in which they also said that club president Joan Laporta and his father Jorge Messi had agreed to work together to make a tribute to the best footballer in the Catalan club’s history.

The statement read:

“On Monday, June 5, Jorge Messi, the player’s father and representative, informed Club President Joan Laporta of the player’s decision to join Inter Miami, despite having been presented with a proposal from Barça, in consideration of the desire of both FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi for him to once again wear blaugrana.

“President Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years.

“Both Joan Laporta and Jorge Messi also agreed to work together to promote a proper tribute from Barça fans to honor a footballer who has been, is, and always will be beloved by Barça.”