Messi in Miami shirt seems ‘strange’ – Barcelona president

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has informed ESPN it’s a “strange feeling” to see Lionel Messi in an Inter Miami CF shirt, however he needs the ahead the very best in MLS.

Messi, 36, left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain two years in the past, however the Catalan aspect tried to re-signal him earlier this summer time when his contract with the French aspect expired.

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Saudi Arabian group Al-Hilal additionally supplied Messi a contract, however the Argentina worldwide opted to hitch Inter Miami, the place he has scored three targets in his first two appearances.

“It’s a strange feeling,” Laporta informed ESPN of watching Messi play in the United States. “We identify Messi with Barcelona. That’s the way I think most supporters see Messi, because most of his career has been at Barca.

“But we respect his resolution and we want the very best for him. We need the very best for our gamers. He got here to Barcelona as a child, 14-years-previous, and he spent 20 years with us. I hope he might be very glad in Miami.”

Messi has already been joined in Miami by former Barca teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, while Luis Suárez has also been linked, although sources have told ESPN the Uruguay striker will remain at Grêmio until at least the end of the year.

Laporta said he understood Messi’s decision to take on a new challenge in the U.S., even if Barca had cleared his possible return with LaLiga financially.

“It was very shut,” the Barca chief added. “We needed to handle our monetary truthful play scenario so we wanted time. At the top, we reached an settlement with LaLiga that authorised us so as to add him to the squad.

“But Leo was coming from a situation in Paris where he was under a lot of pressure. His father told me that he needed a place where he won’t be under pressure and at Barca that would not be the case because of the meaning of the return of our hero.”

During his 21 years at Barca, Messi turned the membership’s document look holder and high scorer, scoring 672 occasions in 778 video games. He received 4 Champions Leagues, 11 LaLiga titles and received the Ballon d’Or on seven events.

“In Miami, it is different for him, it’s a new league for him, one that is improving and Messi can help with the developing of the league,” added Laporta.

“With Busquets and Jordi Alba as well, maybe Luis Suárez. It will be very attractive for the fans in the United States. So he preferred to go to Miami. We respected it and understood his decision.

“Everything that’s good for Messi makes us glad, and additionally it is good for Barcelona,” Laporta informed ESPN’s Ahora o Nunca. “Everyone identifies him with our membership as a result of he performed virtually all his profession virtually in Barca, and for us we maintain him in our coronary heart and he is aware of that Barca is his house.”

Messi has made a fast start to life in South Florida, scoring the game-winning free kick on his debut against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup and then adding a brace in a 4-0 win over Atlanta United FC on Tuesday.

In California, meanwhile, Barca finally kicked off their preseason with a 5-3 defeat against Arsenal at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood as part of the Soccer Champions Tour they are taking part in.

Their opening game against Juventus in Santa Clara was postponed last weekend because of a stomach bug which spread across the squad.

They are back in action on Saturday when they play the Clásico against Real Madrid in Dallas before closing their trip against AC Milan in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

“We misplaced in opposition to Arsenal, but it surely’s preseason and we are going to get higher,” Laporta said. “I hope in opposition to Madrid and in our final sport in the U.S. we might be higher. But I need to be clear. Madrid-Barcelona is rarely a ‘pleasant.’

“This tournament is fantastic. There are full stadiums, the fans are great and everything is so well organised. Last night we played in front of 70,000 with people coming from abroad to watch us.

“And coaching can also be going nice. The amenities in Los Angeles are excellent for us. We simply had the issue with the viral an infection, however we really feel grateful to be right here.”