Lionel Messi is ruling nothing out when it comes to a possible MSN reunion at Inter Miami, with transfer speculation continuing to rage around Neymar.
♦ Trio starred together at Barcelona
♦ Argentine & Uruguayan stars in Florida
♦ Brazilian ace under contract in Saudi
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Brazil international only moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023 – having also seen Messi bid farewell to Paris Saint-Germain – but has been limited to just five appearances in the Middle East due a serious knee ligament injury.
WHAT MESSI SAID
There has been talk of Neymar seeking out another challenge, despite having 12 months left to run on his current contract, and a move to join Messi and Luis Suarez in MLS has been speculated on. Messi has told infobae when asked if another ex-Barcelona colleague could join him in Florida: “I don’t know. The truth is that it is difficult now, he is in Arabia, he has one year left on his contract. He went through a difficult year, where he was injured for a long time, which leaves him out of the Copa America as well, where he could not play most of the games in Arabia. And now it’s difficult. Afterwards, I don’t know, the truth is that life takes so many turns that anything can happen, but I don’t think that today, no.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi is enjoying his time in the United States, having endured a testing spell in France, and would appear to have many years left in him at the age of 36. He added when asked if his remarkable international career – which includes a World Cup triumph – could be extended through to 2026: “It depends on how I feel, how I am physically and being realistic with myself. And to know if I am up to the task of being able to compete and help the teammates next to me. Know how I am physically. There is some time left and I don’t know how I will be at that moment. Age is also a reality, although it is a number, the games that I am going to play are not the same as the ones I played when I was in Europe in competition, which were every three days, or in the Champions League or in the League. But it depends on how I feel and what I feel when I’m next to my teammates and see if I’m still up to par or not.”
WHAT NEXT?
For now, Messi is focused on Argentina’s defence of their Copa America crown. That competition, which is also taking place in the United States, is due to get underway on June 20. After that, the all-time great will head back to Miami and rejoin a bid for MLS Cup glory.