Lionel Messi has been tipped to leave Inter Miami on loan in the coming months. Here are five clubs that could sign the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Inter Miami’s playoff hopes dwindled with a 1-0 loss to Cincinnati, meaning Messi won’t resume MLS action until February.
Messi, who joined the Florida franchise on a two-and-a-half-year deal this summer has so far netted 12 goals in 13 appearances, with the club undefeated until the recent defeat to Cincinnati.
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However, with the Argentina World Cup winner set for a lengthy off-season, rumours have emerged of a short-term loan to allow the attacker to maintain his fitness.
Here are five clubs Messi could join.
Barcelona
Messi is inarguably Barcelona’s greatest-ever player, having scored 474 goals in 520 appearances from 2004 until 2021.
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He won 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Reys, seven Supercopa de Espanas, four Champions Leagues, two Super Cups and three Club World Cups with the Blaugrana.
While Barcelona were keen on re-signing the player this summer, Inter Miami manager Tata Martino played down a loan move to the Catalan giants in January.
When asked about the prospect of Messi’s Barcelona return, Martino said as per Goal: “Is he going for fun? Maybe he's going to visit Barcelona. Other than that, I don't know anything else about it.”
Man City
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Messi may have played his best football under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, who often heralds the Argentina star as the greatest player of all time.
City allegedly had the chance to sign Messi in 2021, upon his Barcelona departure.
Perhaps the treble winners may look to bring in the 36-year-old on a short-term deal to spur them on in the second half of the season.
Saudi Pro League
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While it is unlikely Messi would join Al Nassr, a club that already has long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo among their ranks, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad may all be keen to sign the player.
All four aforementioned clubs were taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund back in June, and could easily cover the player’s enormous wages
Indeed, Al Hilal were hoping to tempt Messi to Saudi Arabia with a €400-milllion-per-year (£327million) contract.
The league could make another attempt to sign Messi, even just for a short-term stint.
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Featured Image Credit: Getty/FootyrendersTopics: Football, Manchester City, Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr