Lionel Messi considering move to a more competitive league before 2026 World Cup – report | OneFootball

It has been four years since the departure of Lionel Messi from Barcelona took place and fans continue to pine for the Argentine legend to return to the club.

The record Ballon d’Or winner, who turned 38 years old recently, is currently plying his trade in the MLS with Inter Miami, where his contract runs until December 31, 2025.

As such, the chatter about a potential return to the club of his heart, Barcelona, is once again doing the rounds.

Messi considering move to prepare for World Cup

And, according to journalist Esteban Edul on ESPN Argentina, Lionel Messi is considering the idea of moving to a more competitive league six months before the FIFA World Cup next year.

Messi’s contract expires at the end of 2025, making him a free agent heading into the winter transfer window.

And, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is said to be contemplating a move away from the MLS at that point, to a competition at a higher level, plausibly to help him better prepare for the FIFA World Cup.

Messi’s contract at Inter Miami expires on December 31. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The journalist also adds that talks over a new contract with Inter Miami are currently on hold, meaning the possibility of an exit remains.

Will Messi return to Barcelona?

Messi led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup triumph in 2022 in Qatar and as such will enter the tournament in 2026 as reigning champions hoping to retain their crown.

Should he decide to leave Inter Miami, links to Barcelona will naturally surface once again, much like they did when he left PSG in 2023.

However, recent reports have suggested that the Argentine icon is not considering a return to Barça owing to his fractured relationship with the board led by Joan Laporta.

Journalist Guillem Balague, who happens to be close to Messi’s camp, had stated in February that the former Barcelona captain would not consider a move back to the club as long as Laporta was still president.

With six months left until his contract at Inter Miami expires, it will be interesting to see whether there is any attempt from Barça to mend fences and bring their prodigal son back home for one last dance.