Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami over two years ago in what was a transformative signing for the Herons and MLS.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner last season led Inter Miami to their first Supporters’ Shield title as Messi won the MLS MVP award despite playing just over half of the available games for the Florida franchise in 2024.
With Mauricio Pochettino praising Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami, the 37-year-old attacker could be a key reason behind the growth of soccer in the United States with the FIFA Club World Cup taking place this year followed by the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Indeed, exciting times are coming for Inter Miami with Messi in the roster, though these times might not last as long as originally expected if recent comments from the attacker’s close friend are believed to be true.
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Messi wants to return to Barcelona when Inter Miami contract expires
Speaking to La Nacion, Argentina media personality Yanina Latorre revealed that Messi recently told her that he wants to return to Barcelona to end his career, with the journalist saying: “He told me that when he finished here [in Miami], that he is happy, that he will return to Barcelona.”
With Messi already rumored with a move to Barcelona, a return could well be on the cards for the Argentine, with Latorre adding when asked what the forward thinks about saying in Miami, the forward told her: “No, my place is there [Barcelona].”
Although Inter Miami are in talks with Messi over a new contract, this idea could soon be scrapped if the former PSG superstar is now eager to return to Barcelona to end his career, an idea that many neutral soccer fans would love to see.
Yet for the Herons, losing Messi at the end of this season could be a disaster, especially with how much time and effort Inter Miami owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham have put into bringing the 37-year-old to Chase Stadium in the first place.
Messi exit could allow Inter Miami to sign Neymar
Messi leaving Inter Miami to return to Barcelona would be the doomsday scenario for the Florida franchise, with the Argentine international the face of the club and all of MLS since joining in 2023.
Yet as bad as Messi leaving could be for the Herons, it might also open the door for Inter Miami to finally sign Neymar, who this January was strongly linked with Javier Mascherano’s side before opting to re-join Santos on loan.
Whether or not Messi will actually leave Inter Miami is still up in the air, but with the forward believed to have said to a friend he wants to return to Barcelona, the Herons are now in a race against time to ensure the 37-year-old remains in the United States for as long as possible.
