Lionel Messi says there is ‘NO CHANCE’ of him going on loan to Barcelona during MLS off-season, as he insists he is ‘happy’ with his decision to join Inter Miami after rejecting ‘many offers’ from Europe and Saudi Arabia
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Lionel Messi has ruled out the possibility of him returning to Barcelona on loan after the highlight of his first MLS season with Inter Miami.
The 2023 MLS regular season ended last month, and with Inter Miami not making the playoffs, they won’t return to competitive action until February.
High-profile players including David Beckham and Thierry Henry have returned to Europe during the MLS off-season in the past, and Barcelona fans may have hoped that club legend Messi would be tempted to follow suit.
Barcelona boss Xavi has previously said he would also like to see Messi back at Camp Nou, but the 36-year-old star has said that will not happen.
When asked if he would consider a move to Barcelona or another European club, Messi responded L’Equipe: ‘No, not a chance. Not at all.’
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has said he will not return to Barcelona on loan this winter
Barcelona boss Xavi has previously spoken about wanting Messi to return to the club
Messi looked close to a dramatic return to Barcelona over the summer after deciding to leave PSG after two years with the Ligue 1 giants.
He admitted that he had seriously considered the move, but ultimately felt it was “not possible.”
‘I could have returned to Barcelona, but that didn’t happen. It was similar to having to leave in 2021,” Messi explained.
“I thought about returning to Barça, my life there, my retirement there as I always wanted, but… it wasn’t possible.”
The race for Messi’s signature over the summer was fascinating, with the Argentine icon appearing to have three options at his disposal: Barcelona, Inter Miami or Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal.
However, he has said that there was more interest and that he was also approached by other European clubs during this period.
After months of uncertainty, Messi finally opted to join Inter Miami and has made a very positive start in the US.
He has already scored 11 goals and five assists in 14 games and led the team to the Leagues Cup in August, just weeks after arriving at the club.
Messi chose to join Inter Miami over a move to Saudi Arabia or a stint in Europe this summer
After winning the Ballon d’Or again this week, he believes he made the right decision
This ends a 12-month dream for Messi after winning his first World Cup with Argentina last December, and he was rewarded for his stellar year by being named Ballon d’Or winner for the eighth time earlier this week .
Reflecting on his decision to move to Inter Miami instead of the Middle East or stay in Europe, Messi believes he made the right choice.
“I had many offers on the table this year, including several European clubs and Saudi Arabia,” Messi told a journalist Florent Torchut.
“We decided to come to Miami and it’s a decision we’re happy with, we feel good.”
