Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino laughed off rumors that Lionel Messi will return to Barcelona in the next winter transfer window.

Inter Miami coach denied rumors of Lionel Messi returning to Barca
Since leaving the Catalan giants in 2021, Messi has been expected to return to Camp Nou many times as a perfect ending, but he still missed his appointment with his old team in the context of the Blaugrana facing too many problems. financial difficulties.

When Messi left Paris Saint-Germain this summer, speculation about a return to Barcelona for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner once again surprisingly increased.

However, the World Cup champion decided to abandon that hope as well as offers from Saudi Arabia to move to MLS to sign a contract with Inter Miami until December 2025.

Barca President Joan Laporta announced that his team did everything in their power to re-sign Messi, the superstar who has had an extremely impressive start in North America with 11 goals and 5 assists. Created after 13 games.

The 36-year-old scored in every game for the Herons in their run to the Leagues Cup title, but their bid to reach the MLS play-offs failed when he missed time through injury. Messi came on as a substitute in the second half of Sunday’s match against Cincinnati, but he could not help Martino’s team avoid a 1-0 defeat, which ended Miami’s hopes of advancing.

Messi still plays extremely impressively after joining Miami

With Messi set to be out of action for a long time at club level, recent reports suggest that Barca could make a move to re-sign their all-time record goalscorer on loan. in January 2024. However, this information was quickly rejected by Inter Miami head coach Martino.

When asked by the press about rumors of Messi returning to Barca, Martino replied: “Is he traveling? Maybe he will visit Barcelona. Other than that, I don’t know anything else.”

Before their amicable separation in the summer of 2021, Messi scored 672 goals in 778 matches for Barcelona in all competitions, as well as 303 assists during 16 glorious years.

Besides his fast start to life in MLS, the striker continues to shine at the international level and has scored in his last eight appearances for Argentina. Messi has not ruled out competing in the 2026 World Cup in North America, although he has emphasized that he wants to focus on next year’s Copa America before deciding on his international future.

The 36-year-old has been called up to Lionel Scaloni’s squad for this month’s international matches, where La Albiceleste will take on Paraguay and Peru in their next two 2026 World Cup qualifiers, respectively on the 13th. and October 18.