The football world is buzzing with a tantalizing possibility that could reshape the narrative around arguably the greatest player of all time: Lionel Messi, at 38, might finally be headed to the Premier League. As Argentina prepares to defend its World Cup title next summer, the whispers from the legend's home country suggest Messi is considering a temporary loan switch to a more competitive European league.
This potential move comes even as Inter Miami, his current club in Major League Soccer (MLS), is reportedly keen to extend his two-year contract beyond 2025. Should he sign a new deal, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner could still squeeze in a temporary stint with a top-flight European club, ensuring he remains at the pinnacle of competitive football.
Reports out of Argentina indicate that Messi's primary motivation for such a move is his desire for regular, high-level games ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America. This hunger for peak performance is a hallmark of Messi's illustrious career and underscores his unwavering commitment to his national team. It means the former Barcelona attacker could potentially relocate for several months, bringing his unparalleled talent to a new league for a short, impactful period.
Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, recently stunned observers by reaching the Club World Cup in the USA, a significant achievement for an MLS side. However, during their last-16 clash against Messi's former club, Paris Saint-Germain, the stark difference in competition levels was evident as PSG outclassed Miami with a decisive 4-0 victory. Messi, in particular, looked visibly frustrated during the match, a rare sight for a player accustomed to dominating every opposition. The intensity of the game even led to accusations from some viewers that he attempted to punch former teammate Vitinha, highlighting the competitive fire still burning within him.
The idea of Messi playing in England is particularly captivating because, remarkably, he has never played for an English club in his senior career. His entire European club journey was spent at Barcelona and later Paris Saint-Germain, leaving the Premier League as the one major European league untouched by his club genius.
However, the connection to English football isn't entirely new. Former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes once claimed that Sheikh Mansour, the Emirati businessman who completed his £200 million club takeover in 2008, had made an attempt to sign Messi on the very day of the acquisition. Imagine the seismic shift that would have caused in 2008!
More recently, before his move to PSG in 2021, current Etihad chief Pep Guardiola was also understood to have fancied a reunion with his old Barcelona protégé. While those dreams never materialized, the prospect of Messi finally gracing a Premier League pitch, even if temporarily, adds an exhilarating new dimension to his twilight career.
