Lionel Messi's father Jorge has seemingly poured cold water on a sensational return to Barcelona.
Messi has been linked with a move back to the Camp Nou in recent weeks with contract talks at Paris Saint-Germain having yet to produce an agreement. According to ESPN, Messi has verbally agreed to stay at the French champions but an acceptable offer has not been made with more meetings scheduled in the coming weeks.
Inter Miami - the MLS franchise part owned by David Beckham - are another side who reportedly hold an interest in signing Messi and up until a few months ago, had been confident of taking him to America. However, following his World Cup triumph with Argentina, Messi is thought to be keen on staying in Europe.
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But it does not appear as though Barcelona will win the race for his signature with Jorge telling reporters: "I don't think he will return [to Barcelona], the conditions are not there. I don't know, life takes so many turns," he said. Messi scored 672 goals in 778 appearances during his time at Barcelona which came to an end in the summer of 2021 amid the club's ongoing financial issues.
With a deal at PSG still not having been finalised, Beckham's Miami will continue to hold an interest, with the former Manchester United midfielder saying last month: “I love Leo for many different reasons. I love him because he’s a great father. I love him because he’s a great personality, a character. He’s a great person.
“But I think what everybody loves about him is the way he plays the game. He plays the game with passion. He plays the game just free the way he plays. And I think this past World Cup again. I think the way he played for his team, for his country, and to win that World Cup was an incredible moment for him. And I love watching players like him.”
Despite the MLS season kicking off later this month, Inter Miami still have yet to fill the vacant designated player spot on their roster following the retirement of Gonzalo Higuain at the end of last season.
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