The future of Lionel Messi will continue to be the talk around Inter Miami with his contract set to expire at the end of 2025.
Despite now being 37 the attacker is showing no signs of slowing down and is still performing at the peak of his powers.
Messi was named MLS MVP for 2024 and finished the season as Inter Miami’s joint-top scorer alongside Luis Suarez with 20 goals.
Messi’s influence has already taken hold of Fafa Picault, the new signing spoke about the experience of training alongside the superstar.
Inter Miami are set to open fresh contract talks with Messi, but a new deal may not stop a potential Barcelona return.
Messi could be set for Barcelona reunion
Despite playing with a number of his former Barcelona teammates at Inter Miami, it’s clear to see that Messi believes he has unfinished business with his boyhood club.
According to reports a new contract signing with Inter Miami could increase the chances of Messi heading back to the Nou Camp.
Messi has recently joined up with Inter Miami ahead of their pre-season tour. Their pre-season sees Inter Miami travel to a number of countries including Honduras.
Mascherano has no doubt already had discussions with his star player regarding his future which many believe is already set to be with Inter Miami.
The club are looking to renew Messi’s contract until December 2026 which would be a perfect way to be active for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Why new Inter Miami contract increases chances of Messi’s Barcelona return
Many will be confused as to how a new contract at Inter Miami could mean that he could be set for a Barcelona return. The simple answer lies in the timing of the MLS offseason.
Messi has not played football since November 10th, meaning he will come back to pre-season a little off the pace.
Javier Mascherano ‘won’t take risks’ with Messi’s fitness in the pre-season tour and a future move to Barcelona may negate these concerns.
In the MLS any footballer who plays two seasons in the United States can be loaned to another club during the months when there is no competition. This would allow Messi to remain fit by being loaned to Barcelona during the offseason.
This would benefit Inter Miami by keeping their star fit and Barcelona would welcome back a superstar who would still have a major impact in La Liga.
A similar move has already been made by the likes of Thierry Henry who went back to his former club Arsenal during the MLS offseason while he was with the New York Red Bulls.
Signing a new deal with Inter Miami becomes a no-brainer if it means Messi could return to Barcelona for a final goodbye, something he never felt he received when he left the club in 2021.