Lionel Messi has confirmed that there is no chance for him to return to Europe, after rumours suggesting that a loan spell back to Barcelona could be on the cards. The Ballon d’or 2023 winner revealed that he is completely focused on Inter Miami and that his time in Europe is officially over.

After finishing the ongoing season, Messi plans on taking some time off football during the winter before returning for preseason towards the end of January. The Argentine will captain the national team in the coming international break, before taking a step back.

Lionel Messi puts Barcelona return rumours to rest with latest comments

“I could have returned to Barcelona but it didn’t happen. It was similar to me having to leave in 2021,” he said in an interview with L’Equipe. “I thought about Barça return, my life there, retiring there as I always wanted but… it was not possible”.

“I had many offers on the table this year… including multiple European clubs and Saudi Arabia,” he said. “We decided to come to Miami and it is a decision we are happy with, we feel good”.

Only weeks after signing with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi helped the team win the Leagues Cup, which was also the first ever piece of silverware in the club’s history. And now, rumours suggest that him, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets could be joined by another former Barcelona star – Luis Suarez, in black and pink.