'During Copa America, Lionel Messi had the Barcelona jersey...': Aguero opens up on Argentina captain's PSG transfer

Currently in Inter Miami, Lionel Messi has begun his new stint on a stunning note and is already the club's highest goalscorer this year, although he joined them in June this year. The Argentine was expected to return to former club FC Barcelona, after departing PSG as a free agent. Although he had unofficially agreed with such a move, Barcelona's financial constraints didn't let it happen.

He was also linked with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, but eventually signed for Inter Miami. Messi, who was Barcelona's academy product and captain, departed the La Liga outfit for PSG in August 2021, after becoming a free agent in July that year.

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The club blamed financial and structural obstacles posed by La Liga regulations as the reason behind his departure. Meanwhile, club president Joan Laporta also blamed the previous board for leaving the club in such a financial situation.

Speaking on Twitch, Messi's Argentina teammate Sergio Aguero spoke about his Spanish departure, and revealed that it was surprise for everyone. "During the Copa America, Messi had the Barca jersey in his room. Every three day he (Messi) would tell me, I think they renewed my contract. You are going to have to take a photo of me with the jersey for the official announcement. And every time we were prepared they told him not yet," he said.

Messi shone for Inter Miami on Monday, in their Leagues Cup match vs FC Dallas. They sealed a 5-3 penalty shootout win in the Round of 16, with Messi scoring a brace in regular time. It is also being reported that he could be loaned out to Barcelona during the MLS off-season, but it has been denied by Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas.

While speaking on the Offside podcast with Taylor Twellman, Mas said, "I want to caveat that. I don’t know if it’s some type of friendly or farewell game. They have this Gamper Trophy they play for in the summer."

"But there will be something where, hopefully when the new Camp Nou is open, because their stadium there they will not be playing in for the next year and a half, hopefully Lionel Messi can say his proper goodbye.

"That does not entail playing for Barcelona. He’s not going to go on loan there. That’s not going to happen. Yes, he deserves his correct goodbye there. Yes, and I will do everything in my power in order to facilitate and help him do that because he’s deserving of that," he further added.