10 June 2023 , 13:12
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Sergio Aguero has laid the blame for Lionel Messi not returning to Barcelona at the door of those running the show at the Camp Nou.
Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has shocked the footballing world by confirming he'll part ways with Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his current deal, which expires at the end of this month, to join Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami. The deal was confirmed on Wednesday, just before Messi admitted he wished he could go back to Barcelona.
The Argentine told Spanish newspapers Sport and Mundo Deportivo in a joint interview: "Yes, the truth is, I obviously really wanted to, very excited to be able to return, but, on the other hand, after having experienced what I experienced and the exit I had, I did not want to be in the same situation again – wait to see what would happen and leave my future in someone else’s hands, so to speak.
"I wanted to make my own decision, thinking about myself, about my family. Although I heard that it was said that La Liga had accepted everything and that everything was fine for me to return, there were still many other things that had to be done."
Instead, he will now don the pink of Miami rather than the red and blue of Barcelona, something which Messi's close friend and Premier League legend Sergio Aguero feels is the fault of the Spanish giants.
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The former Manchester City ace bemoaned Barcelona's lack of effort in their pursuit of Messi, telling ESPN: "Messi’s decision? Barcelona did not do enough for Leo’s return.
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Lionel Messi has already spoken to former international teammate Sergio Agüero about his upcoming move to MLS side Inter Miami. (Visionhaus/Getty Images)"Yes, there was a La Liga thing and also the economic situation, but Leo made the correct decision to not wait until the last second like he did in 2021."
Aguero also claimed that he made sure Messi knew of Miami's poor form, adding: "I spoke to Messi yesterday, I sent him a message with a screenshot of the Eastern Conference standings and I said: 'Your team is behind! You have to move up to 8th or 9th!'"
He went on to reveal that Messi saw the funny side, cracking up laughing before admitting that the club, co-owned by fellow football icon David Beckham, must make the play-offs.
Messi and Aguero have been close friends for years and that may have played a part in the former's decison making when it came to his next move after deciding to leave the French capital.
Much like Messi, Aguero now also has a house in Miami and spends plenty of his time there, which could help the ex-PSG star when it comes to settling in to life at his new club.