- Lionel Messi cried when he surprisingly left Barcelona two years ago in 2021
- Now, reports in Spain say he could return next year in a loan move to the team
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Barcelona are contemplating a stunning move to bring Lionel Messi back to his boyhood team on loan in January if Inter Miami fail to reach the MLS playoffs.
Messi left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 when the club couldn’t afford to renew his contract. He was fully expected to sign a new deal but instead gave a tearful farewell at a press conference, rather than from the Nou Camp field.
Now, according to Spanish publication Sport, the LaLiga team is lining up a remarkable move to give Messi his chance of a proper send-off.
If Miami fail to qualify for the MLS playoffs, the Spanish team are considering a move to sign him on loan in January – when the European transfer window is open.
Sport says no move has currently been discussed with Miami but it is an option that Barcelona are considering.
Lionel Messi is reportedly being considered to rejoin Barcelona in a loan move next January
Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after the Spanish team couldn’t afford to give him a new contract
Messi cried when he said goodbye to Barcelona at an emotional press conference in 2021
Miami is currently five points outside of the playoff places in the Eastern Conference with three games of the regular season left to play. Messi’s team is not in control of its fate, though – three wins are vital, as well as other results going their way.
They next play on Saturday night, with tough game at home to Cincinnati – the Eastern Conference leaders.
Messi has missed Miami’s last four games with a scar tissue problem and his coach, the former Barcelona manager Tata Martino, has repeatedly underlined concerns over Messi’s workload since arriving in the United States.
It is not yet clear if Messi will be back for the Cincinnati game but Martino has previously said he expected the Argentina World Cup star to play again this season.
He was also called up by his country for their next two World Cup qualifiers later this month, which is likely an indication that he is nearing a return.
If Miami reach the post-season, it could mean…