If someone had told me in 2015 that Lionel Messi would be playing in the MLS for a club owned by David Beckham, I would've replied with some inaudible swearing. When the Argentinian announced he would be leaving Barcelona in 2021 it sent the world into shock, at the time joining up with the likes of Mbappe and Neymar at PSG was the only realistic option for the six time Ballon d'Or winner. After a fairly unsuccessful two years at the Parisians for Messi he joined up with former teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami in the MLS.
Go out on loan?
Even if Messi were to take part in Argentina's World Cup qualifying matches against Brazil and Uruguay in November, he would still have 95 days to rest before the start of the upcoming MLS season. Given this, it's probable that European clubs will be interested in the World Cup winner for a January loan move.
If Messi does decide to go out on loan he would join current owner of his parent club David Beckham who went out on loan twice during his time at LA Galaxy. Due to the controversies surrounding his loan moves to AC Milan while playing in the Major League Soccer, the former Manchester United hero may even advise Messi against making such a move.
Currently linked with a move to Saudi Arabia or a homecoming to Barcelona for one last run at the club where he won it all.
Messi departed Barcelona in 2021 without saying farewell on the pitch since the team couldn't afford to pay for a new contract. However, the idea of a reunion in the form of an exhibition match has been brought up on occasion, most recently by Inter Miami club president Jorge Mas.
He recently told El Club deeportista: "Messi's departure from Barcelona was not to his liking, he could not say goodbye to his club that welcomed him as a child, and I think the circumstances were not what Lionel wanted.
"I gave him 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.
Messi hasn't made any recent statements about wanting to move back to Europe after his MLS season with Inter Miami is complete. Barca is pleased with their alternatives after giving loanee Joao Felix and youth Lamine Yamal significant playing time thus far this season.
Stay at Inter Miami
As recently announced by Fabrizio Romano Messi is focused on Inter Miami and Argentina over the next few months and a loan back to the Catalan club or to Saudi Arabia is currently off the cards.
Due to the World Cup winner coming to the club at the end of the European season and mid way through the MLS season, he wasn't match fit straight away. Messi will be focused on getting fit and ready for the new season in February so then he can hit the ground running once again.
David Beckham will be desperate to keep him at the club ready for the start of the new season due to the impact he's had on the club since his arrival in July from PSG
By the time Messi came in July, the team had gone 11 games without a league victory, dating back to a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution.
Phil Neville was in charge of that team. Only five more games were played by Neville until he was dismissed in early June.
'I didn’t want us to be on the bottom of the league when he arrived but we didn’t win those games,' said Beckham.
Inter Miami look like they'll finish 14th but the Argentinean did bring the club it's first bit of silverware
Written by Joshua Lucas
Twitter- lucas15_josh
Instagram - josh_lucas15
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