Lionel Messi has acknowledged that joining Inter Miami has brought him happiness again after his years in Barcelona and described his two-year stint in Paris as one he “neither planned nor desired”.
Messi, 36, has scored nine goals in six games for Miami which he joined last month having spent two less-than-successful seasons, by his own lofty standards, at Paris Saint-Germain.
An icon in Barcelona, the Argentine World Cup-winning superstar couldn’t quite establish a connection with fans in Paris, with sections of PSG supporters booing him. In Miami, however, Messi has become quite the rage.
Fans line up outside Inter Miami’s practice facility to watch Messi’s car drive away after training sessions. Players from opposing teams wait after matches to get his signature or just a simple handshake. His No.10 jersey is everywhere in South Florida.
For Messi, these are reminders that he made the right choice. He could have continued his acclaimed career with another stint in Barcelona, where he rose to stardom. He could have signed a lucrative deal to play for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Instead, he chose the unfamiliar — to travel stateside and play football in the United States, and he’s glad about it.
Addressing local media for the first time since his arrival, Messi spoke about his life in Miami, and contrasted it with his largely unsettled time in Paris where he went after a hugely successful 21-year stay in Barcelona. He won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with the Catalan club and his exit was primarily triggered by Barcelona’s financial problems.
“Me going to Paris was neither planned nor desired,” Messi said through an interpreter. He spoke publicly on Thursday for the first time since announcing on June 7 that he’d join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.
“I did not want to leave Barcelona, and it became difficult. But it is the opposite of what is happening to me now, thanks to God.”
Messi said he’s still adapting to his new surroundings. His family is in a temporary place in South Florida while they search for a permanent home. His three sons will start school soon.
He’s still getting used to “hot and humid” Florida, but overall, the transition has been “much easier than expected”.
“From the beginning, from my arrival, it’s been an impressive welcome that we’ve received,” Messi said.
“Today (Thursday) I can tell you that I am very happy with the decision we made,” he affirmed, speaking at Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium in a room so full of reporters that some sat on the floor.
Since Messi’s announcement, Inter Miami, co-owned by former England star David Beckham, have hired former Barcelona and Argentina national team coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino and signed former Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets and veteran defender Jordi Alba.
The club’s rise since has been meteoric.
Miami are in last place in the MLS Eastern Conference with a record of 5-14-3. Now on a six-match winning streak, the club will compete for their first title on Saturday against Nashville in the Leagues Cup final.
Written with inputs from AP/PTI
