Inter Miami vs Barcelona for Messi: The state of play

FT Desk

• 1 Nov 2022 12:45 GMT
• 3 min read

Inter Miami and Barcelona are going head to head for the free transfer signature of Lionel Messi next summer, but the PSG superstar will not make a firm decision until 2023.

That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who says that reports that Messi has all but agreed to join Miami was wide of the mark.

According to David Ornstein, the American club are growing increasingly bullish regarding their chances of signing the 35-year-old star, with the Athletic affirming that this offer is presently the “most advanced” of the legendary attacker’s three options.

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It is further added that discussions for this move have been in progress for two years,

However, Romano says nothing concrete is decided.

What did Romano say?

“Inter Miami for sure and also Barcelona are dreaming of Messi, they will try to convince him,” Romano wrote in his CaughtOffside column.

“But as I’ve always mentioned, Leo won’t decide now or in December. His decision of him will be in 2023, and Paris Saint-Germain will also try their best to extend his contract of him.

“Personally, I’d love to see Messi at least for one more year in Europe! He’s been back to his best for PSG this season and he clearly still has so much to offer on the big stage.”

Messi’s contract with PSG expires at the end of the 2022-23 season, although he has an option to extend his deal by another year.

Barcelona would like to bring Messi back to Camp Nou, although his salary demands could prove problematic.

The 35-year-old joined PSG from Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021.

Messi broke virtually every record during over 20 years at Camp Nou, scoring an incredible 672 goals in 778 games.

He also won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League, in addition to numerous other individual and team honours.

But Barcelona were unable to sign him to a new deal in the summer of 2021 – mainly for financial reasons - leading to an infamous farewell press conference in which Messi broke down and cried.

Messi endured a difficult first season in Paris, scoring just four Ligue 1 goals all campaign and performing poorly as PSG were dumped out of the Champions League – capitulating from 2-0 up on aggregate to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid in the last-16.

However, he has been in fine form so far this campaign, already registering 12 goals and 13 assists.