According to reports, it is rare to hear Lionel Messi speak in an almost hour-long interview. In a conversation published on the YouTube channel Simplemente Fútbol, the Argentine star discussed various topics from his professional football career, including his unsuccessful attempt to return to Barcelona and the possibility of playing for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup.

This Argentine star ended his contract with Paris Saint-Germain in July 2023, at a time when he tried his luck to return to Barcelona but failed and eventually joined Inter Miami.

He said about this: “I wanted to return to Barcelona, to be where I always wanted to be, but it didn’t happen again. It was a family decision. The fact that we won the World Cup had a big impact on this decision. It was completely clear to me that I didn’t want to play for another team in Europe. I didn’t even think about it for a moment. It was a family decision to live in the US and play in this league and for a club that is growing and dreams of big things.”

Messi also talked about his two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, which never felt like home: “We were going through two complicated years because we lived one way in Barcelona and in Paris, the family situation was good, but I didn’t feel comfortable in daily life and training. We wanted to make sure the family situation was good and that I could enjoy what I love to do.”

Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has been himself again and is enjoying football, a sport where he is on the verge of experiencing something unprecedented in its history at the 2025 Club World Cup, a tournament that starts in less than two months: “Now I’m enjoying it. I couldn’t ask for more. I want to keep competing and winning. That’s my nature, and I grew up with that mentality.”

Another topic he addressed was winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, especially after losing the 2014 final. Messi said: “Reaching the final (against Germany) and not winning was torture for me. Winning after all that makes things a little more bearable and is accepted differently. I could have won two World Cups, but now I have this one.”

He added about the upcoming World Cup and the end of his football career: “The World Cup is far away, but it will come quickly. This year is important. Being able to play consistently and feel good is important. Last year I started pre-season training and had some injuries. This year I had good training, started well, and I feel good. But the season is long because it goes until December, and there’s the Club World Cup too. I think and look, but I don’t want to set goals. I’m taking it day by day to see how I feel physically and to be honest with myself.”