Laporta emphasized again the reason Messi did not return to Barca after his contract with his former team PSG expired:

“In the end, it didn’t happen, because of what he told us that he don’t want to take on more pressure. Messi was in Paris, he preferred to go to Inter Miami because that would give him stability. A decision we respect.”

Although Messi is unlikely to play for Barcelona next month, there have been rumors about Barca organizing a match in honor of M10, so he can say thank you and farewell to Catalan fans. The match is said to be possible in 2024 – with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho in attendance.

“We are ready to make any move he wants,” Laporta said of the tribute match. Messi is the best player in history and since we respect and admire him, of course he deserves to be honored in Barcelona. I don’t know if Messi will be honored when we return to Spotify Camp Nou at the end of 2024 or when the stadium is completely built in July 2026.”

Lionel Messi has a contract with Inter Miami until 2025, with the option to extend for another 12 months in the signed terms. Inter Miami is in the pre-season preparation phase.

They plan to play 5 friendly matches. Accordingly, 4 matches are scheduled for trips to Asia (Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan) and another trip to El Salvador on January 19.