Messi Loan Move To Barcelona Ruled Out

Messi's Inter Miami side have failed to make the Major League Soccer playoffs, meaning when their regular season ends on October 21 they will play no competitive football until February.

That has led to rumours that Messi could secure a loan move to Barcelona in the January transfer window to remain active.

Messi has scored 11 goals in 13 games for Inter Miami since joining on a free transfer in July.

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio says Messi will not be making any move away from the MLS for now.

“Fans have been asking me about the various press reports about Lionel Messi and a possible loan move to Europe as Inter Miami won’t be playing competitive football again for a few months, and we’ve seen players based in the US making similar moves in the past, such as David Beckham and Thierry Henry when they were playing there," Fabrizio opined.

“However, I can honestly say that, for the moment, I have no info at all on Messi and a loan departure. Messi is focused on Inter Miami and there’s nothing else to mention right now. It’s normal to have speculation about such a big name, and of course things could change, but there’s no truth to current rumours about Barcelona, or any other club.

“Of course, I have to say I’d love to see Messi back at Barcelona again one day, that would be fantastic and a ‘romantic’ move, but at the same time, it’s correct to let him decide whatever he wants.”

The 36-year-old Argentina international ended a 21-year association with Barcelona in the summer of 2021 when he joined Paris Saint Germain on a free transfer after the Catalan giants failed to put a suitable financial package together to retain the seven-time Ballon d’or winner.

Messi made 778 appearances for Barcelona after making his debut in 2003 and is the club’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals. He won 35 trophies with the club including four UEFA Champions League trophies and 10 La Liga titles.