FC Cincinnati’s 1-0 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday confirmed that the Florida franchise won’t be making this year’s MLS playoffs, leaving Lionel Messi without competitive club football for quite some time.
The Beckham and Henry precedents of MLS loans
There is precedent if Messi decides to seek a short-term loan away from Inter Miami, before returning to try to steer them to a better regular season in 2024 than they’ve had in 2023.
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David Beckham did this when he went on loan to AC Milan from January to June of 2009 and January to June of 2010, taking a break from the LA Galaxy to add another glamour European team to his CV.
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The MLS regular season finishes on October 21, before the playoffs run through the rest of October, all of November and conclude with the MLS Cup final on December 9.
Then, the 2024 MLS season won’t begin until February, meaning that Messi will be without club football for four months.
While he might decide to use this time to relax with his family, the competitiveness the Argentine is known for could see him seek a loan.
Thierry Henry had a similar loan, although a much shorter one, when he moved from New York Red Bulls to Arsenal and then back between January and February of 2012.
So, if Messi wishes to seek a similar move back to European football, to help him stay match sharp for when he plays with Argentina, he should be allowed to do so.
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Will Messi return to Barcelona on loan?
If the No.10 does return to Europe, where would he go? Barcelona remain a likely destination, as Messi has such a strong attachment to the Catalan club, who wanted him last summer.
Jorge Mas, the president of Inter Miami, has even given his blessing to the idea of Messi playing with the Blaugrana one last time.
“I gave [Messi] my commitment that I will do everything possible in the coming years to give him the opportunity to say goodbye to his fans in Barcelona,” Mas told El Club del Deportista, although he may have been thinking more so along the lines of a testimonial.
“Inter Miami will go or we will do some kind of match.”
Alternatively, Messi could look to join another European club, but it would be shocking to see him playing anywhere that isn’t Barcelona.