Lionel Messi was 'very close' to Barcelona return before Miami move – Joan Laporta

Lionel Messi celebrates one of his goals for Inter Miami against Atlanta United in July 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Barcelona president Joan Laporta says Lionel Messi was 'very close' to a return to Camp Nou before his move to Inter Miami this summer.

Messi had spent his entire career at Barcelona before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, scoring 672 goals in 778 appearances for the Catalan club.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.