MLS Multiplex
Fansided

What a Mess(i) We Have in the Soccer World

By Mike Gambill

STRASBOURG, FRANCE - MAY 27: Lionel Messi #30 of Paris Saint-Germain warms-up prior to the Ligue 1 match between RC Strasbourg and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade de la Meinau on May 27, 2023 in Strasbourg, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
STRASBOURG, FRANCE - MAY 27: Lionel Messi #30 of Paris Saint-Germain warms-up prior to the Ligue 1 match between RC Strasbourg and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade de la Meinau on May 27, 2023 in Strasbourg, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Please pardon the play on Lionel Messi’s surname name but the title of this article does fit the current ongoing saga of where and who the Argentine great will play for next season.  It literally does seem what a Mess(i) we have in the soccer world and every minute of every day this drama continues to unfold.

Where does Lionel Messi stand right now?

The only fact that is indisputable right now is that at this exact moment in time, Lionel Messi is under contract with Paris St. Germain (PSG) and his contract with the Ligue 1 side expires on June 30th.  Messi is set to play what could be his final match with PSG this Saturday.  Even the French sports journal L’Equipe reports that Messi is on his way out of France as soon as the Ligue 1 season wraps up which only adds fuel to the fire that we have a Mess(i) in the soccer world at this moment.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during a training session at club’s training ground in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris on June 1, 2023, two days prior to the L1 football match against Clermont. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during a training session at club’s training ground in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris on June 1, 2023, two days prior to the L1 football match against Clermont. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) /

Could Lionel Messi end up playing in Saudi Arabia next season?

The Saudi Arabain scenario is only one of the possible landing points for Lionel Messi next season as Saudi side Al-Hilal has reportedly offered an astronomical sum of anywhere from $375 to $400 million dollars a year for Messi to ply his talents in the Middle East.  Messi would be following in the footsteps of fellow European great Cristiano Ronaldo who moved on to Saudi side Al-Nassr last year.  However, the Messi family has indicated certain cultural concerns about moving to Saudi Arabia and no concrete deal has been reached at this point.

Could Inter Miami and FC Barcelona be working on a deal?

A possible Messi signing by Inter Miami could be one of the biggest blockbuster deals in MLS history and while American soccer fans would simply love to have Messi in North America, this potential deal does have some merit to it.  Inter Miami, owned by fellow soccer legend David Beckham, could in fact sign Messi to a contract deal and then loan out Messi back to Barcelona.  In this scenario, Messi could return to the Blaugranes for the upcoming season or maybe even two seasons before returning to essentially finish out his career with Inter Miami.

An Inter Miami – Barcelona loan would allow Messi to sign with an MLS team and then return to La Liga late this season for the 23-24 season.  Messi could then complete his loan on a six-month deal and return to the United States in time for the 2024 Copa America tournament and defend his native Argentina’s title in this competition.  Once that tournament is over, Messi would then be able to join his Inter Miami side, meaning that he could potentially be playing in the MLS by next summer.

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR – DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts after Kylian Mbappe of France (not pictured) scored their sides second goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR – DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts after Kylian Mbappe of France (not pictured) scored their sides second goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Another possible scenario in the Inter Miami-Barcelona loan transfer is a longer, 18-month deal whereby Messi would play this upcoming season in La Liga, participate in the Copa America tournament, return to Spain, and then fully join Inter Miami in early 2025 in time to play in a full MLS season.

What a Mess(i) we have in the Soccer World.

Lionel Messi is arguably the most recognizable and best soccer player in the world right now.  It’s little wonder that so many teams on multiple continents are bidding for his services.  A potential Saudi contract would enable Messi to earn an extravagant salary unheard of in American professional sports.

Any Inter Miami-Barcelona deal would also entail large sums of money and would have to clear any MLS and La Liga salary regulations as well.  Given Barcelona’s current financial concerns, a lot of where Lionel Messi ends up playing next season will be determined in large part by where Lionel Messi feels most comfortable playing for.  Even though the European leagues are wrapping up their seasons right now, things there will continue to be a Mess(i) in the soccer world this summer.

Home/Inter Miami CF