Lionel Messi rubbishes Barcelona return rumours

Lionel Messi has said that he has no intention of spending any time on loan at Barcelona during the early part of 2024.

When Messi agreed to link up with Inter Miami from July onwards, there had been the hope that the legendary forward would guide his new team to the MLS playoffs.

However, despite spearheading Inter Miami's Leagues Cup triumph, the 36-year-old has featured on just five occasions in MLS, contributing one goal and two assists.

In the process, Inter Miami have fallen short in their efforts to extend their season, leaving Messi without any club football from October 21 through to February.

That has led to claims that the Argentine superstar could make a sensational return to Barcelona, a club where he scored 672 goals from 778 appearances.

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With Barcelona in a position where they are heavily hindered financially and aware that Messi would increase revenue off the pitch, any short-term deal would have likely been gratefully received by the La Liga champions.

Nevertheless, speaking after representing Argentina against Peru earlier this week, Messi has revealed that he will not be taking on a second stint with the Spanish giants at the turn of the year.

In reply to the question after the international fixture, as quoted by ESPN, Messi said: "No. It's a shame [we didn't qualify]. We came very close. I missed the last few games, we had several injuries.

"The month of July was very hard for us, we played every three days, we traveled. But we won a tournament, which is important for the club and for what is coming next year.

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"I will train, I will play our upcoming match [against Charlotte FC] and I will try to get here [to the national team] in the best possible way for November. After that, I will enjoy the holidays in Argentina.

"It's the first time that I am going to have more days off in December, with the holidays, with peace of mind, with my people. In January, I will return again to do pre-season. Start from scratch and prepare as best as possible as always."

Messi has played a total of 13 times for Inter Miami, chipping in 11 goals and five assists from those fixtures, but a muscle injury has left him sidelined for much of the last month.

Inter Miami have already been confirmed as finishing second bottom in the Eastern Conference standings, the club six points adrift of the playoffs with one fixture remaining.