Bartomeu says Miami move for Messi and Suárez was discussed long before Barcelona exits

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has told Cadena SER that talks about a future stint in Miami for Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez had taken place before the pair left Barcelona — a claim that reframes how their eventual moves to Inter Miami are viewed. The revelation links decisions made during their Barcelona careers to the high-profile reunion that later unfolded in Major League Soccer.

What Bartomeu said and why it matters

According to the World Soccer Talk summary of Bartomeu's interview, the former president said "There had already been talk of a stint in Miami with both Messi and Luis Suarez." Bartomeu also reiterated that he attempted to renew Messi's contract at Barcelona and pointed to the club's economic issues — including La Liga wage restrictions — as decisive factors in Messi's 2021 exit.

Timeline and context from the source

The supplied source places Messi's departure from Barcelona in 2021 after a 21-year association, noting Barcelona cited "economic and structural obstacles" that prevented registering a new contract even after a reported 50% pay cut. The summary notes Messi moved to Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barca and later joined Inter Miami, where he has since become a central figure in MLS. The source also says Luis Suárez eventually reunited with Messi at Inter Miami following his own career moves.

• Bartomeu said discussions about Messi and Suárez joining Miami had already occurred (source: Cadena SER, reported by World Soccer Talk).
• Barcelona cited economic and structural obstacles as the reason Messi could not be registered in 2021, per the source summary.
• Messi left Barca in 2021, joined Paris Saint-Germain, and later moved to Inter Miami (source summary).
• Luis Suárez later reunited with Messi at Inter Miami (source summary).

Implications for Barca, Messi and MLS

If Bartomeu's account is accurate, it suggests the Messi–Suárez Inter Miami reunion was at least partly anticipated long before their departures from Barcelona. The source notes Bartomeu believed keeping Messi for another season or two would have been positive for Barca, reflecting how pivotal the player remained to the club's sporting and commercial plans. The World Soccer Talk summary also highlights the wider financial context at Barcelona that contributed to the 2021 exit.

The supplied material does not include new details on negotiations with Inter Miami, contract specifics, timelines of the alleged early discussions, or direct transcripts beyond the quoted line. Those points should be verified against the Cadena SER interview and other primary reporting before wider publication.

What happens next

Further reporting should confirm Bartomeu's remarks from the Cadena SER interview in full, seek comment from Barcelona, Inter Miami, and representatives of the players where possible, and establish whether documents or other witnesses corroborate claims that Miami was discussed while Messi and Suárez were still at Barca.