Lionel Messi, the iconic Inter Miami captain, is making headlines once again, and this time it’s about his post-Major League Soccer (MLS) plans. While there have been speculations about him potentially returning to Barcelona or heading to the Saudi Pro League, the latest word from the grapevine suggests otherwise.
Guillem Balague, a reputable source in Spanish football, has weighed in on the matter. According to him, Messi is not going to join another team on loan once the MLS season comes to a close. So, if you were eagerly anticipating a Messi comeback at Camp Nou or a stint in Saudi Arabia, you might want to curb your enthusiasm.
Inter Miami’s recent loss to FC Cincinnati dashed their play-off hopes, marking the end of their season on October 21. This situation has naturally sparked rumors about Messi’s next destination. The Argentine World Cup winner has had limited playing time in the MLS due to injury, having clocked just 72 minutes since early September.
Once the MLS regular season wraps up, Messi’s schedule includes World Cup qualifiers with the Argentina national team, where they will face Uruguay and Brazil on November 17 and 22, respectively. After that, it’s vacation time for the football maestro. Messi is expected to take around a month off, just like other footballers.
As Balague puts it, “Messi will have around one month holiday, like other footballers. So forget any move to Saudi or similar.” So, that puts those transfer speculations to rest, at least for now.
After his well-deserved break, Messi will make his way back to Miami for the pre-season, with the MLS new season kicking off in February. The footballing world witnessed his arrival at Inter Miami from Paris St-Germain in July, where he quickly made an impact by leading the club to their first Leagues Cup victory in August. Although he has scored 11 goals in 13 games for the team, it’s worth noting that only one of those goals came in his five MLS appearances.
The rumors of Messi’s potential return to Barcelona have been circulating since his departure for PSG in 2021, following an incredible 21-year spell with the Catalan club. However, Inter Miami’s manager, Tata Martino, seems to be in the dark about these speculations. He responded by saying, “That’s surprising. I know nothing about that. If you’re telling me that he’s going to go visit Barcelona on vacation, yes, it’s probable, but I don’t have any information on the other part.”
So, for now, Messi remains committed to Inter Miami, and it looks like we’ll have to wait to see where his footballing journey takes him next. The football world continues to watch with bated breath, and the legend of Lionel Messi continues to unfold.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Inter Miami
What are the latest developments regarding Lionel Messi’s future after the MLS season?
Guillem Balague, a Spanish football expert, has confirmed that Lionel Messi will not go on loan to another team when the MLS season ends. This quashes rumors of a potential return to Barcelona or a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Why is Messi not considering a loan move?
After Inter Miami’s loss to FC Cincinnati, their play-off hopes are dashed, and Messi’s season with them ends on October 21. Messi has also been dealing with injury and will have World Cup qualifiers with Argentina in November, followed by a well-deserved month-long holiday. This means there’s no room for a loan move in the immediate future.
What is Messi’s plan after his holiday?
Following his month-long break, Messi is expected to return for pre-season with Inter Miami, as the new MLS season kicks off in February. Despite a limited number of appearances, he has made a significant impact on the team, including leading them to victory in the Leagues Cup.
Are there any insights into Messi’s potential return to Barcelona?
Despite ongoing speculation about Messi returning to Barcelona, Inter Miami’s manager, Tata Martino, expressed surprise and a lack of information about this. So, for now, Messi’s focus remains on Inter Miami.
More about Inter Miami
- Lionel Messi not going on loan post-MLS season
- Inter Miami’s season and Messi’s status
- Guillem Balague’s statement
- Lionel Messi’s impact at Inter Miami
- Rumors about Messi’s return to Barcelona
- Tata Martino’s response to transfer speculations
3 comments
Messi scores goals, even in MLS, rock on!
Wow, didn’t kno messi got injury, hope he bounces back strong
messi stayin wif inter miami, no barca comeback, bummer!