Lionel Messi will not be rushed into making a decision on his future.
Messi returned to his best form with Paris Saint-Germain this season, contributing 12 goals and 13 assists in just 17 games.
The 35-year-old’s contract at Parc des Princes expires at the end of the 2022/23 season and Kylian Mbappe’s future at the club is uncertain – with the Frenchman sensationally telling PSG he wants to leave months after signing a new deal. – The Parisians are desperate to tie Messi down to new terms.
But despite growing speculation over a possible return to Barcelona, Messi is fully focused on winning the upcoming World Cup with Argentina and any decision on his future is believed to be made after the showpiece event in Qatar.
Messi’s former employers Barcelona would love to take him back to Camp Nou, but sources familiar with the situation admitted after 90 minutes that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is undecided about returning to the Catalan giants as he still has some grievances. towards some at the club – including president Joan Laporte.
He may still be enthralled by the chance to work with long-time former team-mate Xavi, a multi-year contract and the promise of a future role in the Barcelona hierarchy – an opportunity the club believe he will not turn his back on.
However, a move to Major League Soccer is a possibility and David Beckham’s Inter Miami are interested in taking Messi stateside following the recent retirement of Gonzalo Higuain, which has opened up the Designated Player (DP) spot.
Messi’s marketing potential remains global, and with his sport-defining talent, it’s easy to see why Inter Miami would be interested in taking him to MLS – having previously pounced on big-name players like Higuain and Blaise Matuidi despite their advancing years.
Inter Miami are not Messi’s only admirers in America, as 90min further told, with LA Galaxy another side who have a long affinity for signing the global superstar. They too will open up at least one DP spot over the winter as they part ways with Douglas Costa.
Atlanta United, meanwhile, have always packed their squad with Argentinian players and currently feature Messi’s international team-mate Thiago Almada, the 2022 Rookie of the Year winner.
