Frenkie de Jong has revealed that he is disappointed that Lionel Messi agreed to join Inter Miami instead of returning to Barcelona.
Barcelona were eager to bring back Lionel Messi this summer and were in the race to sign the Argentine with Inter Miami and Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.
Lionel Messi on the other hand decided to join Inter Miami, rejecting a reunion with Barcelona due to doubts over their financial situation.
Messi’s decision to join Major League Soccer could make a host of big stars consider a move to join the league in the summer.
The former Barcelona attacker’s future was in the air, with the likes of his former club, FC Barcelona, and Saudi side Al-Hilal wanting to sign the World Cup winner.
Lionel Messi, 35, leaves Europe for the first time in his successful career, where he won a combined 43 trophies during his 17 years at Camp Nou and his couple of seasons at PSG.
Frenkie De Jong commented on Messi’s refusal to return to Barcelona, saying that it’s a shame the 35-year-old did not return to the Catalan club.
De Jong speaking to Dutch outlet Telegraaf, said: “I think every team would like to have Lionel [Messi] there because he makes a difference anytime, anywhere.”
“It’s a shame he didn’t come to Barcelona. I would have liked him there, would have found his return top-notch. We will now see who joins and who leaves.”
Financial issues made it difficult for Barca to complete the deal, with their sales expected to be sanctioned this summer in an effort to raise funds.
Frenkie De Jong is among the players to have caused plenty of speculations in recent windows, as he was heavily linked with Manchester United, but the 26-year-old midfielder is expecting to remain at Barca.
Talking about his future, the player said: “I feel good at Barcelona. If all goes well I will stay there. You can’t say anything 100% but I guess next season I will play for Barcelona.”
Frenkie de Jong
Frenkie de Jong is a Dutch footballer who was born on 12 May, 1997 and plays as a midfielder fo Barcelona and the Netherlands national team.
He is a versatile midfielder, and is known for his vision, passing, dribbling, technique, along with strong defensive abilities and his attacking prowess.
De Jong was selected to the 2019 FIFA FIFPro World11 and was one of three Dutch players to feature in it for the first time in five years.
