Lionel Messi: How Inter Miami Star Could Still Play for Barcelona This Season

• Lionel Messi chose Inter Miami over a huge Saudi Arabia offer or returning to Barcelona
• With Miami's chances of playoff spots looking bleak, he could still play for Barcelona
• He left the Catalan club in 2021 over their financial incapability to register his new contract

Lionel Messi's dream of playing for Barcelona again could still be actualised this season despite choosing Inter Miami over the Spanish club last summer.

Messi left Barcelona against his will in 2021 after the club could not register his new contract. He headed for Paris Saint-Germain, where he spent two years.

He decided against renewing his PSG contract last summer. He had three offers - a world-record salary offer from Saudi Arabia, a return to Barcelona or a new adventure in MLS.

He joined David Beckham's MLS franchise Inter Miami and has transformed the club's fortunes on and off the pitch, seeing commercial revenues quadruple while leading the team to Leagues Cup triumph.

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Could Messi play for Barcelona?

Barcelona was one of Messi's preferred destinations, but he could not wait for the club to sort their FFP issues to register his contract, hence joining Miami.

The aspirations of donning the famous blue and red jersey could still be achieved as the MLS loan rule allows for players to be transferred to European clubs during the winter window.

Miami's playoff hopes took a blow after their 4-1 defeat to Chicago Fire last night, and with three games to go, it would be difficult to qualify for the playoff spot.

This could allow Messi to join Barcelona in January on a short-term loan worth the playoffs extending till December. However, Miami would want him fresh for the new season, which begins in February 2024. Such an idea could be ruled out, and it also makes no financial sense for Barcelona.

A similar move was used to allow David Beckham to join AC Milan, Thierry Henry to rejoin Arsenal, and Frank Lampard to join Manchester City during their time in the MLS.

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Miami co-owner Jorge Mas confirmed to Marca that plans are underway for Messi to play at Camp Nou and bid a final farewell to Barcelona fans as part of the agreement before he joined the Herons.

When will Messi play again?

Sports Brief reported that Martino provided an update on Messi's fitness condition after losing to Chicago Fire, his fourth consecutive game missed due to injury.

Miami have three league games left in the season as they aim for a playoff spot, which is no longer in their hands. Martino confirmed Messi has a chance to play at the weekend, having left his injury behind.