FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi came close to reuniting this past summer transfer window but it was not to be and the Argentine legend ended up signing for Inter Miami instead.
With that it appeared that there would be no more possibility of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner playing for Barça ever again.
But over the past week, rumours about Messi potentially returning to Barcelona have started to do the rounds again.
A loan move in January?
Indeed, earlier this week it was reported that there is a possibility Barcelona might consider signing Lionel Messi on loan in January if Inter Miami fail to qualify for the MLS playoffs.
As it turns out, the Florida-based outfit did not make it to the playoffs following their defeat to Cincinnati on Saturday night.
With their season now pretty much over, Inter Miami will not play any football from the end of this month until February when the new campaign starts.
It had been speculated that Barcelona could move for Messi in January to bring him in on a short-term loan deal, although no discussions have taken place between any parties yet.
Tata Martino addresses rumours
And following the defeat against Cincinnati last night, Inter Miami manager Tata Martino addressed the talk of Messi potentially returning to Barcelona, as he said (h/t Daily Mail):
“Is he going for fun? Maybe he’s going to visit Barcelona. Other than that, I don’t know anything else about it.”
Messi has netted 12 goals in 13 matches he played across all competitions since joining Inter Miami on a two-and-a-half-year contract back in the summer.
Given Barcelona’s current Financial Fair Play situation, it appears far-fetched that any move to bring Messi on loan in January could be in the works.
