There have already been wild reports in Spain about this spectacular return – but Lionel Messi himself has now denied the rumors about a Barça return.
It has become almost a tradition for FC Barcelona fans to dream of Lionel Messi’s return to Catalonia around a transfer window. But before the winter window, the news became more again. Because Inter Miami, the new parent club of the reigning world champion, ultimately missed the play-offs in the MLS, there was speculation about a Barça loan.
Spanish media reported that Messi could help his heart’s club in Europe in the second half of the season. With unequivocal statements on the sidelines of the World Cup qualifier in Peru – Messi scored a brace in the 2-0 win – he now put an end to the wild speculation.
The immediate future, he said, is for Messi to return to Miami, train, play and try to “return to the national team in November in the best shape possible.” So far, so good. But then again, the transfer window in La Liga doesn’t open until January 1, 2024.
And Messi has only three more competitive fixtures to play in this calendar year. Inter Miami’s last league game at Charlotte FC next weekend will be followed by the two prestige duels in South America’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay (November 17) and Brazil (November 22). The Albiceleste (twelve points from four games) lead the table ahead of Uruguay and Brazil (seven points each from four games), with two more wins Messi & Co. would like to cement the top position.
“I will return in January “
And then Messi has clear plans, in which Barcelona does not fit. After the World Cup qualifiers, “I will enjoy the vacations in Argentina. It’s the first time I’ll have more days off in December, with the holidays, in peace and with my people,” Messi announced, making it clear that “in January I’ll return to start preparing. I will start from the beginning and prepare as well as possible, as always.”
Life in Miami is said to be good for Messi and his family. He still has a contract until 2025 – and could then return to his native Argentina, as has been announced several times.
MLS confirms: Messi is highest-paid professional in the league
Meanwhile, MLS made public what had long been an open secret: Messi is unsurprisingly the league’s highest-paid soccer player. The published figures show that “La Pulga” earns 20.4 million US dollars a year, the equivalent of around 19.3 million euros. According to MLS, his basic salary is just under 11.4 million euros, plus bonus payments – but in addition to his salary, the 36-year-old is also said to have other income from stakes in the US league’s marketing rights. His actual earnings are said to range between 47 and 57 million euros per year, according to the AP news agency.
Behind Messi are Italy’s European champion Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC) with 14.5 million euros and former Bayern pro Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire) with 7.7 million euros.
