Lionel Messi will play for Inter Miami and the news not only impacts the world of football but also has a special impact on Barcelona, where the illusion of recovering the greatest idol in its history evaporated automatically leaving a bitter taste and some tension with its leadership, headed by president Joan Laporta.
In his announcement, Messi made it clear that he wanted to go to the Catalan club but that he never received a concrete offer from the institution where he won 34 titles, including 4 Champions League. However, as soon as it was announced that Leo will play in MLS, Barcelona released a statement transferring full responsibility for his decision to the Argentine.
Xavi Hernández, former teammate of Leo and now coach of Barcelona, expressed himself on Thursday about the departure of the 10 to the football of the United States and remained in tune with the line that the club has been going down in relation to the controversy with Messi.
Messi and Xavi marked an era in Barcelona. Photo: EFE/Alberto Estévez.
Xavi said that both Messi and Barcelona were "excited" about the return of the Argentine, but "the circumstances have not occurred" and "he no longer wants this type of pressure."
"The illusion is generated because we both talk, we have talked a lot, we were excited to all parties, first him, then me and then the club, but the circumstances have not occurred," Xavi said in an interview with Jijantes on the Twitch platform.
Asked when he began to think that Messi might not go to Barcelona, the coach of the Barça club said he noticed "a change in recent days, weeks, that maybe he does not see it so clearly."
"Many times we do not put ourselves in the situation of the other, we lack a little empathy and being Leo should not be easy," Xavi explained.
"Imagine Messi in what focus he is, he never has tranquility, he has to be a ten in conduct, on the field, he has to be the best in everything. He has not had a good time these two years and no longer wants this type of pressure, "added the Barça coach.
"He has explained it very well, that he wants to lower the level of pressure that if he returns here would be ten again," said Xavi, who confirmed that it was the player's father and representative, Jorge Messi, who communicated the decision to Barca.
"The decision depended a lot on what Leo wanted. He was very excited, but the circumstances have not helped," Xavi insisted, adding that "you have to respect him, he is the best in history."
The Barça coach thus alluded to the economic difficulties of the club, which condition Barça's ability to operate in the market preventing them from giving guarantees of signing the Argentine.
"It has not been an easy situation for him, without any doubt," concluded the Barça coach who "was convinced that we would go well with him here."
With information from Agencies
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