'No, no chance, Not at all'- Lionel Messi rules out loan move to Barcelona, insists he is 'happy' at Inter Miami
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Messi not returning to Barcelona on loan || Credit: Imago

'No, no chance, Not at all'- Lionel Messi rules out loan move to Barcelona, insists he is 'happy' at Inter Miami

Stephen Oladehinde 13:46 - 04.11.2023

Following the conclusion of the MLS season, Lionel Messi has ruled out the chance of going back to Barcelona on loan.

Inter Miami's 2023 Major League Soccer regular season concluded last month, and as they did not qualify for the playoffs, they will not be playing competitively again until February.

Messi had a spectacular season with Inter Miami where he scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in 14 appearances across all competitions.

The World Cup winner also recently won the most prestigious award, the Ballon d’Or, for the eighth time in his career.

Messi in action for Inter Miami || Credit: Imago
Messi in action for Inter Miami || Credit: Imago

Messi staying put at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi has said that he will not be returning to Barcelona on loan and insisted on staying at Inter Miami.

Messi responded as follows to L'Equipe when asked if he would contemplate moving on loan to Barcelona or another European team as reported by Daily Mail, “No, no chance. Not at all.

“Thanks to God, I had an extraordinary career in Europe and won everything I have dreamed of.

“Now that I have decided to come to the USA, I don't think I will ever return to playing in Europe.”

After choosing to leave PSG after spending two years with the Ligue 1 powerhouse, Messi was on the verge of securing a spectacular return to Barcelona during the summer.

Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or Award || Credit: X
Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or Award || Credit: X

Messi continued, “I could have returned to Barcelona but it didn’t happen. It was similar to me having to leave in 2021.

“I thought about Barça return, my life there, retiring there as I always wanted but… it was not possible.”

In the past, prominent players like Thierry Henry and David Beckham have returned to Europe during the Major League Soccer off-season and supporters of Barcelona may have thought that club legend Messi would be inclined to do the same.