Sports
It is strange seeing Messi in Pink — Joan Laporta
If anyone thought it was strange seeing Lionel Messi playing for PSG, consider it far shocking seeing the football icon in Pink playing for Inter Miami.
If no one finds the prospect strange, Joan Laporta thinks it is after the Barcelona president had openly made moves to bring the Argentine home to Catalunya.
Under the influence of former Manchester United player, David Beckham, Lionel Messi moved to the United States to join the franchise after leaving PSG earlier this month following a troubled time in Paris.
Speaking to ESPN, Laporta explained his feelings towards Messi playing in Miami, before wishing the 36-year-old his best.
“It’s a strange feeling. 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 decision and we wish the best for him. We want the best for our players. He came to Barcelona as a kid, 14-years-old, and he spent 20 years with us. I hope he can be very happy in Miami.
On the move to get the Argentine back to the La Liga ahead of next season, Joan Laporta reveals;
“It was very close. We had to manage our financial fair play situation so we needed time.
“At the end, we reached an agreement with LaLiga that authorized us 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.”
