MLS
Why did Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami turn down the chance to play Barcelona in a friendly match?
Argentina captain Messi could have come up against his former club in the summer of 2024, only for The Herons to refuse.
Lionel Messi’s much anticipated reunion with Barcelona looks set to go on a little longer, despite the summer of 2024 appearing to be the perfect opportunity for the Inter Miami playmaker to come face to face with his former club for the first time.
According to Catalan sports daily Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona plan to head to the United States for a pre-season tour ahead of the 2024-25 LaLiga campaign and had hoped to arrange a friendly against The Herons, who have former Blaugrana stars Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets on their roster, in addition to Messi.
The reason Inter Miami turned down Barça friendly
However, Inter Miami have ruled out taking on Barça - at least at that time of the year - as they anticipate having a busy fixture schedule when the LaLiga giants are stateside.
The wait to see Messi and Barcelona, his one true love, in soccer terms, reunited will therefore continue, with only a slim chance of there being space on the calendar further down the line in 2024.
Copa América may have seen Messi miss Barcelona reunion
The Floridians did have talks with Barça about playing a friendly in July, after the conclusion of the Copa América and the European Championship, both of which finish on Sunday 14 July. By then, however, Las Garzas will have started preparing for the 2024 Leagues Cup, a trophy they will be looking to defend after winning last year.
Had the game gone ahead in that period, Messi’s participation would’ve been unlikely as he will almost certainly be given some time off after captaining Argentina at the Copa América. Following the summer tournament, Inter Miami will be looking to wrap their key man up in cotton wool to make sure he is in top condition for the Leagues Cup and the final few months of the 2024 MLS season.