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Lionel Messi 'will not go on loan after the MLS season'

By Devesh Jaganath | 11 October 2023

Messi 'will not go on loan after MLS season'

Lionel Messi will reportedly not leave Inter Miami at the end of the MLS season despite interest in a loan deal from Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League.

Lionel Messi will reportedly not join any other team on loan when the current Major League Soccer season ends.

The Inter Miami captain has been linked with a possible return to former employers Barcelona as well as a potential switch to the Saudi Pro League.

The Herons are currently second-bottom in the Eastern Conference and missed out on an MLS playoff spot following their 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati last weekend.

However, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague claims that Messi is not considering a temporary switch to another club and will instead enjoy his time off by going on a month-long holiday.

Lionel Messi celebrating scoring a goal for Inter Miami against Cruz Azul on July 22, 2023. © Reuters

The reporter adds that the Argentine will return to Miami following his holiday and resume pre-season preparation before the league recommences next February.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner transferred from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami in July, and guided the club to their first-ever Leagues Cup triumph in August but subsequently experienced a loss in the US Open Cup.

The current Inter Miami and former Barcelona manager Tata Martino asserted that he is not aware of any such rumours.

"That's surprising. I know nothing about that. If you're telling me that he's going to go visit Barcelona on vacation, yes, it's probable, but I don't have any information on the other part." Martino said after Saturday's loss.

Despite scoring 11 goals in 13 games for the team, Messi has only managed to score one goal in his five appearances in the MLS.