Barcelona boss Xavi reacts to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami move

The 35-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona in recent months, with the club working to re-sign him on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

Xavi said on multiple occasions that he wanted the Argentina international to return to Camp Nou, but a decision has now been made for the forward to continue his career in North America.

The Barcelona head coach has said that the stresses that come with being one of the most recognisable footballers in the history of the sport led to Messi deciding to leave European football behind.

"The last days, weeks, I had noticed that he didn't see his return clearly. You have to understand it, being Messi is not easy. Everyone is interested in you, he never has peace," Xavi told Jigantes FC.

"Leo explained it, for the past two years he was unhappy. I can understand that he doesn't want so much pressure anymore. I spoke with him a lot.

"I have spoken a lot with Messi and we were all excited. But in the end, it hasn't happened. He has explained the circumstances very well. He wants a quieter and more family life.

"It's Messi's personal decision and you have to respect him because he's the best player in history. I was convinced that we would do well with him."

Messi confirmed that he was moving to Inter Miami during a wide-ranging interview on Wednesday, and he claimed that he did not want to run the risk of more issues at Barcelona, who were unable to sign him to a new contract in the summer of 2021 due to their financial problems.

"The time I had to leave, in 2021, La Liga had also agreed to register me and in the end it was not possible. Well, I was afraid that the same thing would happen again," he said in an interview with Sport and Mundo Deportivo.

"When I left in 2021, I had to come here to Paris to stay in a hotel for a long time with my family, with my children going to school and still being in the hotel... I didn't want my future in the air again."

Barcelona released a statement on Wednesday night after missing out on Messi, with the club claiming that the South American wanted to "compete in a league with fewer demands".

"President [Joan] Laporta understood and respected Messi's decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years," read part of the statement.

Messi is also believed to have had a substantial offer from Saudi Arabia, but he will now move to the MLS with Inter Miami, who were only established five years ago.