After Inter Miami's disappointing 1-0 loss at home to Cincinnati on Saturday night, head coach Tata Martino faced questions regarding the future of star player Lionel Messi. The Argentine sensation, who joined the Major League Soccer (MLS) team in July, has recently been the subject of rumors about a potential return to Europe to stay in shape during the MLS offseason.
In a press conference following the match, Tata Martino responded to inquiries about Messi's rumored move, saying:
"Is he going for fun? Maybe he's going to visit Barcelona. Other than that, I don't know anything else about it."
Since his arrival in Miami, Messi has made a significant impact on the team, scoring 12 goals in the combined 13 league and cup matches he has participated in. His presence has been instrumental in Inter Miami's performance, although his absence due to a leg injury in several matches did affect the team's push for an MLS playoff spot.
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Messi's immediate focus will shift to international duty as he joins the Argentina national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru on October 12 and 17, respectively. With Miami's season coming to an end soon, Argentina's coaching staff faces the challenge of ensuring Messi's fitness for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay on November 16 and a crucial match in Brazil just five days later.
The Argentine superstar's fitness will be closely monitored in the coming weeks as both Inter Miami and the national team seek to maximize his contributions on the field. Whether or not Messi's European return materializes remains uncertain, but his presence is vital for both club and country as they aim for success in their respective competitions.