Lionel Messi could finally play in Premier League at 38 as Inter Miami ace ‘considers loan transfer ahead of World Cup'
Legend wants to be in top shape for Argentina's defence of crown next year
ENGLISH LION? Lionel Messi could finally play in Premier League at 38 as Inter Miami ace 'considers loan transfer ahead of World Cup'
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LIONEL MESSI'S World Cup dream might finally send him into the Premier League - aged 38.
The legend is tipped to consider a loan switch to a more competitive league ahead of Argentina's WC title defence next summer.
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Lionel Messi will ponder a short-term return to European football
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The Argentine ace saw his Miami side outclassed by his old club PSG
Credit: Getty
Inter Miami are keen to extend Messi's two-year contract beyond 2025.
But even if he does sign a new deal, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner could also squeeze in a temporary stint with a top-flight European club.
Reports in the icon's home country claim Messi wants regular high-level games before the 2026 World Cup in America.
It means the ex-Barcelona attacker could move for several months.
READ MORE ON LIONEL MESSI
HIT 'N MESS Fans reckon Messi 'threw PUNCH' at Vitinha as legend humbled by old team PSG
David Beckham's Miami stunned observers by reaching the Club World Cup in the USA.
But Messi in particular looked frustrated as his old club Paris Saint-German outclassed his MLS team 4-0 in the last 16.
WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN
The four-time Champions League winner was even accused by some viewers of trying to punch former team-mate Vitinha.
Messi has never played for an English club.
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But ex-Manchester City manager Mark Hughes claimed Sheikh Mansour tried to land him - on the day the Emirati businessman completed his £200m club takeover in 2008.
Current Etihad chief Pep Guardiola is also understood to have looked at a reunion with his Barca old boy before his move to PSG in 2021.
Blind tasting some of football biggest names to see who is the GOAT on and off the pitch
There have been murmurs of Spain over a sentimental return to Barca.
But Spanish journalist to Guillem Balague believes that's unlikely, due to Messi's difficult relationship with the club's current president Joan Laporta.
So a first-ever stint in England might sound enticing for a man with 112 goals in 193 internationals
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