According to a report from Spanish paper, AS, Lionel Messi could return to Barcelona on loan in January if Inter Miami misses the playoffs.
Miami is just five points back of the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with three games to go in the Major League Soccer regular season. Messi has been unable to play for Inter Miami due to a lingering thigh injury but has since returned to full health.
Before the injury, Messi helped the Herons to their first trophy in club history, beating Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties, leading them to the Leagues Cup title in late August.
Messi last played for Barcelona in 2021, before joining Paris Saint Germain on a free transfer. The Argentine spent two years in the French capital before moving to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.
Before the World Cup winner moved to Miami, he was reportedly in contact with Barcelona over a move back to the Catalan capital. Due to financial constraints, however, the talks remained preliminary.
Messi returns?
Like David Beckham on loan at AC Milan in 2009 when he was playing for the LA Galaxy and Thierry Henry at Arsenal in 2012 when he was with the New York Red Bulls, there has been a precedent of stars returning to Europe on loan during the MLS off-season.
However, the 36-year-old has stated that he and his family are happy in Miami, and gushed about how they’ve adjusted to life in the States.
Furthermore, though the two-month MLS off-season may be longer than other leagues around the world, this will give Messi the opportunity to fully recover ahead of a busy 2024 for Inter Miami, which includes playing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup – an international competition equivalent to the UEFA Champions League.
Ultimately, while it makes for a great story to see him return, it may be in Messi’s best interest to rest and get re-charged for the upcoming MLS season.