Gadolhadofi- yes there were times The Rebbe was against it but later, he allowed/ embraced it. This is because the development of Moshiach and geula comes in stages. For example, Sichos in English wanted to print a book “From exile to redemption” with short points on the topic from classic sources. At first The Rebbe didn’t allow it because he felt the world wouldn’t take it well (nobody spoke of it moshiach and geula as a topic in its own right.) later on, he encouraged the printing.
The Rebbe never said I am Moshiach, accept me. But he did say in public talks which were printed in the Algemeiner journal btw, strong hints, such as, “Moshiach has already been anointed and is starting his mission,” “Beis Moshiach is gematria 770” “I don’t mind if you say that the Moshiach of the generation is the general Moshiach because it’s true,” stuff like that. If you look up Beis Rabbeinu shebibavel, you’ll see lots of this, and it was published.
Because The Rebbe never made a campaign to spread this knowledge, there are Lubavitchers who after Gimmel Tammuz would just like to bury it under the cover. But that’s not accurate. Also, after the stroke, the Rebbe encouraged yechi with the little time we had with him. And the videos were broadcast.
I think it’s important to tell the truth and also think that it’s important for Chassidim to know the facts, and if the Rebbe felt it was important to let us in on it, it’s important. I wrote a different post on why I think The Rebbe felt this was so.