Lionel Messi has denied rumours that he may leave Inter Miami on loan after the Major League Soccer season is over. Messi was connected with short-term loan moves to Saudi Arabia and returning to Barcelona in order to be match fit for Argentina’s games. However, it is clearly obvious that such transfers will not take place. The Argentine came out and denied all rumors straightaway.
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Miami did not make the MLS playoffs, but they did win the first Leagues Cup, which means their season finishes after Saturday’s game against Charlotte FC. Talking about the same, Messi said, ‘It’s a shame [we didn’t qualify]. We came very close. I missed the last few games, we had several injuries. The month of July was very hard for us, we played every three days, we traveled. ‘But we won a tournament, which is important for the club and for what is coming next year.’
Lionel Messi went on to declare that he intends to participate in Miami’s final regular-season game against Charlotte. He also said that he will stay in the greatest shape possible to play for Argentina. Leo said, ‘I will train, I will play our upcoming match [against Charlotte FC] and I will try to get here [to the national team] in the best possible way for November.’
He continued, ‘After that, I will enjoy the holidays in Argentina. It’s the first time that I am going to have more days off in December, with the holidays, with peace of mind, with my people. In January, I will return again to do preseason. Start from scratch and prepare as best as possible as always.’
Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, faces Uruguay and Brazil in World Cup qualifiers in November. If Inter Miami had made the playoffs and gone on to win the MLS Cup, Messi could have had to continue playing on a tight schedule.
Since joining Miami, Messi has one goal and two assists in five MLS regular-season games (three starts). Messi has 11 goals and eight assists in 13 outings for the club in all competitions.
Leo close to winning 8th Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi is on track to become the first player in history to win a record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or. According to the Spanish sports publication SPORT, the Argentine icon will be crowned the world’s finest player once more at the gala in France.
Messi’s accomplishments over the last year have made him the odds-on favourite for the award. After orchestrating Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 victory, he led Inter Miami to its first-ever trophy success with the Leagues Cup. Most notably, he captained Argentina to their first World Cup victory in over four decades.
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With a staggering record-seven titles, the Argentine maestro currently dominates the award’s leaderboard, but an eighth would catapult him to a new level of legend. If the rumors hold true, Lionel Messi will be the only player in history to win eight Ballon d’Or awards.
The only competitor to Messi’s 8th Ballon d’Or would be Man City’s Erling Haaland. The striker had a fantastic season with the Blues in England. His contribution helped Man City win the treble under Pep Guardiola. But, it does seem like Haaland will have to wait some more to win his very first Ballon d’Or.
Editors pick
