Lionel Messi drops Inter Miami transfer hint after confirming 'special' match

Lionel Messi has dropped a hint over his Inter Miami future with the confirmation of a 'special' match that he will take part in during pre-season.

Messi signed for the MLS franchise in the summer after his PSG contract expired.

A month after his arrival, the Argentinian guided his new side to the 2023 Leagues Cup title, scoring 10 goals in the seven games he played during the competition.

Injury disrupted the end of his season, though, and Messi made just three appearances in the MLS before the closure of the campaign.

There had been rumours that he may leave Inter Miami on loan, with clubs from the Saudi Pro League said to be interested.

However, the 36-year-old shut down those rumours in October, and his future now looks far more certain.

That is after a pre-season friendly was announced on Monday, with Messi's Inter Miami set to take on his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys before the 2024 MLS season begins.

In a statement following the confirmation of the fixture, Inter Miami boss Gerardo Martino - who also had a spell at Newell's as a player - said (via ESPN): "I am delighted to welcome my beloved Newell's to our home here in Miami. It will be a special match due to everything Newell's Old Boys means to me.

"It will also be a good opportunity to prepare for what will surely be an exciting season."

The friendly is the latest confirmed for what will be a packed schedule for Messi and his club in the opening two months of 2024.

They play the El Salvador national team in San Salvador on January 19, before matches in Saudi Arabia against Al Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr.

Inter Miami then play a Hong Kong All Stars team, before ending their pre-season schedule in Japan with a match against Andres Iniesta's former club Vissel Kobe at the Japan National Stadium on February 7.