With Inter Miami out of the MLS playoff picture, Lionel Messi is staring at an extended break between now and the start of the 2024 regular season.
In the modern world of year-round football, a break for the greatest player in the world from October to February seems out of the ordinary.
According to the laws of the universe, nature hates a void, and thus with Messi staring down a long rest, rumors of a short-term loan have cropped up. Specifically, reports that Messi could join Barcelona or a club in Saudi Arabia to cover the downtime across the MLS offseason.
However, it never felt realistic that Messi could make a move to cover the gap, and it appears the 36-year-old is headed for a well-earned rest.
MORE: Lionel Messi hits post twice as Argentina narrowly defeat Paraguay in World Cup qualifying
Lionel Messi unlikely to join Barcelona on loan
Rumors emerged in early October that, following Inter Miami's elimination from MLS playoff contention, Lionel Messi would find a temporary home to play while his U.S. club awaited its February 2024 return.
The two most popular destinations seemed to either be his old team Barcelona or a club in Saudi Arabia. Spanish publication Sport stated that Barcelona could try to lure Messi back to the club on loan.
Furthermore, Rudi Galetti of Sky Sports reported that Saudi Arabian backers PIF would attempt to lure Messi to one of their biggest clubs. The Saudi Arabian league fell short of convincing Messi to join months ago when the Argentine instead decided to sign for Inter Miami, but they could look to go for a more short-term option.
However, both these options made little sense from the start, and have been shot down from multiple angles.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino made light of the rumor in his post-match press conference over the weekend after defeat to FC Cincinnati left them mathematically eliminated, saying that Messi would only go to Spain "for fun."
"Maybe he's going to visit Barcelona," Martino joked. "Other than that, I don't know anything else about it."
Meanwhile, journalist Fabrizio Romano also shot it down. Romano stated that, "despite rumors about a loan to Barcelona...and also this possibility discussed with Saudi clubs...the reality is completely different. Leo Messi, his father Jorge, and his camp are not discussing with any club the possibility of a short-term loan. It's a possibility they are not considering.
"The focus of Lionel Messi is on Argentina and on Inter Miami, nothing else at the moment."
When will Lionel Messi play again?
With no loan move likely to materialize, it seems instead that Lionel Mess will be headed for rest and recovery, punctuated by the occasional national team duty.
Messi came off the bench to play most of the second half in the 1-0 win over Paraguay on October 12 and should be set for a role in the second match of the international break at Peru four days later.
Once Messi has concluded his time with Argentina, he will rejoin his club Inter Miami for their final regular season matches of the year. They play two dead rubbers against Charlotte FC, one at home and one on the road. It's possible Messi could be rested for one or both of those games, especially the season finale in Charlotte, with the Bank of America Stadium turf possibly factoring in.
With the MLS regular season concluded and no playoff spot, Inter Miami will not see the field again in competitive action until February or March. Neither the 2024 MLS schedule nor the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup schedule has been released.
During the break, Messi will only have action for Argentina to keep him busy, with a pair of critical November fixtures in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying against Uruguay and Brazil.
A January international tour with Inter Miami is likely according to multiple reports. As the 36-year-old will surely enjoy his time off, it also didn't make sense to secure a loan to another club for what is in essence just a three-month break.
Upcoming matches for Lionel Messi
- October 18, 2023: Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC (2023 MLS regular season)
- October 21, 2023: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami (2023 MLS regular season)
- November 16, 2023: Argentina vs. Uruguay (2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying)
- November 21, 2023: Brazil vs Argentina (2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying)
- TBD (likely Feb/Mar 2024): Inter Miami vs. TBD (2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, Round of 16)
- TBD (likely Feb/Mar 2024): Inter Miami vs. TBD (2024 MLS regular season)
