Inter Miami’s Stance on Lionel Messi’s Loan Move to Barcelona: What the Future Holds

In recent reports, Inter Miami has made its stance clear regarding the possibility of Lionel Messi rejoining Barcelona on loan. Messi, the 36-year-old Argentine superstar, arrived at Inter Miami on a free transfer this summer after a successful stint with Paris Saint-Germain. However, recent rumors suggest that he might seek a temporary return to Barcelona.

Inter Miami’s willingness to accommodate Messi’s wishes was highlighted in a tweet by Transfer News Live in January, stating, “Inter Miami will respect Leo Messi’s wishes and negotiate if he wants to go on loan to Barcelona.”

The conclusion of Inter Miami’s 2023 MLS season, marked by a 1-0 defeat to FC Cincinnati, means that Messi’s team will be out of action until February next year when the new campaign begins. This extended break could provide Messi with the opportunity to seek a loan move back to Europe, potentially reuniting with Barcelona on a temporary basis.

There is precedent for such moves, as seen with David Beckham and Thierry Henry during their MLS tenures. Beckham opted for a loan spell with AC Milan from Inter Miami, while Henry returned to Arsenal from New York Red Bulls.

Inter Miami president Jorge Mas has previously expressed his commitment to facilitating Messi’s farewell to Barcelona fans:

“I gave (Messi) my commitment that I will do everything possible in the coming years to give him the opportunity to say goodbye to his fans in Barcelona,” Mas stated, hinting at a farewell event. “Inter Miami will go or we will do some kind of match.”

The future remains uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether Inter Miami will take advantage of the chance to send Lionel Messi on loan to his former club, Barcelona.

Lionel Messi, on the other hand, is on course to potentially win his eighth Ballon d’Or. After a remarkable season with both his club and country, Messi is in contention for this prestigious award. He delivered 21 goals and 20 assists in 41 games for Paris Saint-Germain, securing the Ligue 1 title. Additionally, Messi played a pivotal role in Argentina’s triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, contributing seven goals and three assists in seven matches.

His primary competition for the Ballon d’Or includes Erling Haaland, who had a stellar season with Manchester City, winning the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and the FA Cup while notching an impressive 52 goals and nine assists in 53 appearances across various competitions.