As of today, Leo Messi is happy in the United States. He excites fans everywhere he goes, he’s free from the pressure that comes with playing in Europe, and he’s currently in talks to extend his contract with Inter Miami. “The decision to come here was purely a family decision. We came to the United States, to Miami, to live this new experience,” he said in the interview with the YouTube channel 'Simplemente Fútbol'. However, things could’ve turned out very differently… and he himself has admitted his return to Barcelona fell through after winning the World Cup in Qatar with Argentina.

Messi tried to return to Barcelona after winning the World Cup

After releasing the pressure of lifting the World Cup for the first time on the pitch in Lusail, Leo Messi was fully aware that at PSG, a new chapter needed to begin — one that took shape with the arrival of Luis Enrique as head coach. In fact, he himself admitted that he would never have agreed to coach PSG with Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé on the roster. That summer of 2023, his contract at the Parc des Princes ended, and as he revealed, he was obsessed with going back to Barcelona to close a chapter he still felt was unfinished.

At the time, there was even speculation that Xavi Hernández had conversations with Messi himself to explain how he would fit into the team. However, Barcelona’s financial issues crushed Messi's hopes: “After the World Cup, I couldn’t see myself at any European club other than Barça. My goal was to come back. To return home, where everything started. But unfortunately, it wasn’t possible,” Leo Messi explained.

Messi praises Lamine Yamal

Who knows what would have happened if Leo Messi had returned to Barcelona. What’s clear is that the rise of Lamine Yamal would have been very different from what we’re seeing now. With Messi on the team, it’s hard to imagine Lamine Yamal reaching over 100 appearances in his career before turning 17, and winning the Euro Cup as one of Spain’s standout stars.

Messi himself is the latest to show his admiration for what Lamine Yamal is already achieving: “What Lamine Yamal is doing is incredible. He’s already won the Euro Cup with Spain. He’s only 17 years old, he’s in the middle of his development. He’ll keep growing as a player and adding things to his game, like I did. He has amazing qualities and is already one of the best players in the world.”