Lionel Messi could be set for a return to Barcelona after Inter Miami failed to qualify for the MLS play-offs.
Messi failed to find the net in Inter Miami’s 1-0 home loss to Cincinnati on Saturday.
The 36-year-old could return to Europe to maintain his fitness during the MLS off-season.
The Argentine superstar joined the American club in 2023, but his first season in MLS has been disappointing, with Miami finishing outside of the playoff places in the Eastern Conference.
MLS action won’t start again until February, once the outcome of its postseason is determined later on this month.
Speaking to reporters after the game, head coach, Tata Martino tried to play down rumours of a possible loan move to Barcelona in January.
“Is he going for fun? Maybe he’s going to visit Barcelona,” Martino said in Spanish.
“Other than that, I don’t know anything else about it.”
Messi has scored 12 goals in the combined 13 league and cup matches he played since joining Miami on a two-and-a-half-year deal in July.
That’s nice
Nice