Lionel Messi might return to FC Barcelona on loan from Inter Miami in late 2023 or early 2024, if he follows in the footsteps of other European giants who transferred to the MLS but made brief trips on the Old Continent before returning over the Atlantic.
Messi revealed in interviews with Mundo Deportivo and SPORT that he will join the David Beckham-owned franchise after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires on June 30.
Messi is set to sign a three-year contract with his new club, who currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
However, even before he has kicked a competitive ball for The Herons, there is discussion of the Argentine returning to FC Barcelona on a temporary basis.
According to L’Equipe, Inter Miami earlier considered acquiring Messi and loaning him to Barcelona in an attempt to hinder Al-Hilal’s pursuit of the Qatar 2022 champion.
Other outlets dismissed these reports, but the fact that Messi is unlikely to want to sit out the MLS offseason in the run-up to Argentina defending their Copa America title on American soil in 2024 suggests that he will play some football for Barcelona next season.
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Given Beckham did this himself in 2009 at the LA Galaxy, which led him to a few months with AC Milan, he might be open to the opportunity previously taken up by Messi’s former Barca teammate Thierry Henry plus Americans such as Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey who enjoyed impressive European careers.
As mentioned, Inter Miami currently lie rock bottom in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Sergio Aguero has revealed that Messi said his new side must reach the playoffs when his close friend teased him about the situation through a screenshot of the standings.
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