Lionel Messi’s future looks likely to be away from MLS; will he play in Barcelona, PSG or Saudi Arabia?
Messi looks increasingly likely seek a new challenge... and it probably won’t be MLS.
As the end of his contract with PSG approaches, the uncertainty surrounding the future of Lionel Messi continues to grow. And now, in the latest turn of events, after the declarations of the senior staff of FC Barcelona - and even Xavi Hernández - a possible return to Barcelona has opened up.
Despite the fact that this option is gaining strength, there is nothing finalised as of yet. The truth is that proposals, or rather, interest in the player, have concretely come from Arabian football and MLS, where David Beckham’s Inter Miami have had their eyes locked on him for some time now.
- More detail: Messi is now included in Xavi’s squad plans for 2024
MLS is a ‘very remote’ possibility for Messi
However, according to information from TNT Sports Argentina, the Argentine has already given a final answer about the possibility of joining MLS in the near future.
The journalist Arturo Bulián of TNT Sports Argentina, assured that Messi wants to continue playing at a high competitive level as he intends to feature at the Copa América in 2024 with Argentina, as well as complete other personal challenges he still has, all which mean the option of reaching the United States is now unlikely.
“The 2024 Copa América is coming, and new challenges are coming for Lionel Messi himself; both Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer are very far away, at least the word is that it is very remote”, explained the journalist.
In 2022, Lionel Messi became the first Argentine captain to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy since Diego Maradona in 1986. 🇦🇷
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) April 1, 2023
Judging by his heatmap in the final vs. France, Messi paid homage to the Argentine legend on the pitch, too. pic.twitter.com/GacaEdqEMc
There are still doubts about Messi’s future; he only has one formal offer
Despite the intention of FC Barcelona and other clubs to sign Messi, there has been talk that the Argentine’s entourage have only got the proposal and formal offer from PSG on the table. “The only club that has negotiated and presented a formal proposal to Lionel Messi’s entourage is the Parisian club”, stressed Arturo Bulián. The French club want to renew the player, despite the fact that hope on their side is now fading as the World Cup winner sees himself away from the European capital.
More Barça:
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- FC Barcelona to leave Camp Nou next year