Lionel Messi talks Barcelona, Inter Miami, PSG, World Cup, Ballon d’Or, Mbappe

It has been more than two months since Lionel Messi decided to make the move to the MLS by joining Inter Miami.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner had an opportunity to return to Barcelona in the summer when his contract at PSG expired. There were clubs in Saudi Arabia willing to pay record wages to bring him to the Middle East.

In the end, though, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner opted to move to the USA, where he is loving life.

The former Barcelona superstar had an interesting interaction with Migue Granados, during which he made several revelations regarding his decision to move to the USA, his future, and his family, among others.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has previously stated that Messi opted to join Inter Miami so that he can move away from all the pressure he has had to endure throughout his career.

Saying something along similar lines, the Argentine explained his decision to sign for the MLS outfit, where he is loving life to the fullest, saying:

“There are people who have followed me for a lifetime and know me. It shows a lot when I’m happy on the pitch. The idea was to start decompressing a little. After so many years in a career, to take things differently, to enjoy it.”

“I’m happy here in Miami and it shows… At a certain point, here it is more relaxed,” he added.

Messi won the FIFA World Cup while he was still at PSG, and did so with his Argentine national team beating France in the finals – something that seemingly upset fans in Paris.

Touching upon that subject, the 36-year-old said: “Although I wasn’t doing well in Paris, I was a World champion while there. Everything happens for a reason. It was like it was our fault they (France) weren’t champions again. I was the only player who didn’t get recognition, but no big deal.”

Despite the issues with PSG fans and rumours of an in-squad rift, Messi revealed that he never had any problems with Kylian Mbappe.

“All was great with Kylian. We had a very good relationship,” the 36-year-old said.

On the topic of his future once his Inter Miami stint comes to an end, Messi said: “I don’t want to think about the future. I want to enjoy as much as I can… What I like the most is playing football.”

When asked about the possibility of returning to Argentina to play football, the former Barcelona captain did not rule it out, saying:

“There was always the idea of being able to enjoy Argentine football, of playing for Newell’s and even more so being a World champion….”

The Argentine also stated that he desired to become a sporting director once he retires, saying: “After I retire, I’d like to become a sporting director, but I don’t know where to start. I love teaching anything about football. I love teaching.”

With his World Cup triumph, Messi is firmly in the picture for another Ballon d’Or, which would be his eighth in total. On the prospect of winning the golden orb, he said:

“The Ballon d’Or is a beautiful honour but I was fortunate enough to win everything in football. The Champions League, league titles, Copa America, World Cup and others. These are more important awards.”

“Everything I have is at Barcelona, there in the museum. The Ballon d’Or, the golden boot, everything,” he revealed.

On the matter of the upcoming Copa America next year and the possibility of playing in the FIFA World Cup in 2026 in the USA, Messi said:

“I’m not thinking about the next World Cup yet, it’s far. About the upcoming Copa America, yes. It’s going to be nice. After that, we will see, depending on how I am. The years have passed and we have to see how I feel, I’ll see it day by day.

“I don’t want to think about the after. I want to enjoy it as much as I can, what I like the most is playing.”

Opening up on his family life, Messi revealed that he and his partner are thinking of having another child, while also stating that he teaches his kids the values he learned at Barcelona.

“I think I am a good father and I try to pass on to my children the values ​​they taught me when I was young. I follow the approach of the club I grew up in, Barça… Barça’s values ​​are very important,” he said.

Messi also revealed that he got the Barcelona crest tattooed on his leg in love for his boyhood club, saying: “Look, I got this tattoo to show my love for the club that made me who I am.”