Lionel Messi could join Barcelona on loan from MLS side Inter Miami in surprise twist – report

Lionel Messi could join Barcelona on loan from Inter Miami rather than move to Saudi Arabia, according to a surprise report.

It had previously been reported that he had agreed a blockbuster move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, following in the path of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo who joined Al-Nassr in December last year.

The problem is that Barcelona have serious financial issues and might not be able to register Messi, not only because of his expected high salary but also depending on which other signings they make in relation to potential departures.

And the L’Equipe report says that a surprising new option is now being considered whereby Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham and managed by Phil Neville, would actually sign Messi on a free transfer and then loan him back to Barcelona for either six or 18 months.

This proposal would give Messi one or two more seasons at the top of European football before moving to America to play in MLS.

This could match up perfectly with the 2024 Copa America, which will be hosted in the US and will be a bumper edition featuring the 10 teams of CONMEBOL as well as six sides from CONCACAF.

It is not mentioned in the report what it would mean for Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, three players whose futures have all been intrinsically linked Messi’s.

It is also not mentioned how big a salary Inter Miami would sign Messi to, as well as how much of that salary Barca would pay, especially when considering the nuanced rules within MLS when it comes to loaning out designated players, the high-salaried players whose entire wage does not count against the salary cap.