Lionel Messi is ‘considering a loan away from Inter Miami

Lionel Messi could seek a new club, albeit on a temporary basis, as he bids to win a second-successive World Cup with Argentina in 12 months’ time.

Messi is currently plying his trade in America with Inter Miami, having played for the MLS side for two years.

However, according to a report from ESPN Argentina, he is now considering a loan to a more competitive league next season in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup to be held across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Messi’s current deal at Inter Miami expires at the end of the calendar year, but the American outfit are keen to extend his contract beyond that date.

But any agreement could see the 38-year-old spend a part of his contract on loan overseas with his focus also on captaining Argentina to a successful defence of the World Cup they won in Qatar in 2022 – although any possible destination is mere speculation at this point.

Messi’s talents are synonymous with Barcelona with him the catalyst for their dominance across his 17 seasons there. However, a return to the Catalan club would be unlikely due to their financial situation as well as his difficult relationship with club president Joan Laporta.

A return to Paris Saint-Germain would also appear unlikely too with the European champions centering their success on the youthful exuberance on the likes of Desire Doue, for example.

Manchester City have twice had a vested interest in the Argentina superstar but it remains to be seen if they would try for a third time – despite Messi’s strong relationship with manager Pep Guardiola.

Messi was powerless to prevent his old French side from knocking out Inter Miami of the Club World Cup last-16 stage at the weekend.

‘Today marks the end of the Club World Cup for us with a defeat against the current Champions League champions, where there are people I appreciate and I was happy to see again,’ he reflected on Instagram post-match.

‘We’re proud to have achieved our goal of finishing among the top 16 in the tournament. Now let’s focus on MLS and everything that’s coming up.’