Arsenal supporters can end their hopes of Lionel Messi arriving on loan in the MLS off-season after former Barcelona icon provides reason for temporary move snub
Arsenal have in the past taken advantage of the MLS off-season to strengthen their squad with some short-term help like other Premier League sides as Lionel Messi’s first campaign with Inter Miami comes to a close, raising the inevitable question of whether he would consider a switch. Everton famously brought LA Galaxy and USMNT icon Landon Donovan to England on loan twice; he also spent time with Bayern Munich.
Thierry Henry was the player who returned to Arsenal in 2012, joining on loan from the New York Red Bulls. The Frenchman famously scored in the 1-0 FA Cup victory over Leeds United, picking up a through ball from Alex Song before finishing with a right-footed low-fence shot into the far corner in classic fashion.
With the MLS season coming to a close, it will bring an end to Messi’s first time in America. The Argentine has helped Inter Miami lift trophies, but sadly, he arrived too late to change the course of their season, and they missed out on the play-offs by some distance.
With his domestic commitments over, questions arose about whether the 36-year-old would be using the off-season to return to Europe. Suggestions of a return to Barcelona had been mooted, and fans of all clubs had theorised what a switch to their own team might look like.
For Arsenal, it would have been a fantasy just to see Messi play in the Premier League, let alone in North London. With Bukayo Saka facing some fitness issues and a lack of competition, it even made some sense for Messi to perhaps come in.
Even writing this feels strange. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the man himself has already ruled out the possibility when asked about his plans for the off-season.
“I will train. I will play the game that is coming up now, and I will try to arrive in the best possible way for November if I can be there again,” he said following Argentina’s victory, per Argentinian outlet TyC Sports.
“Then enjoy the holidays in Argentina, which is the first time that I am going to have many more days in December with the holidays with peace of mind with my people, and in January I will return to do pre-season again. Start from scratch and prepare as best as possible as always.”
Messi has one more season with Inter Miami in the hope of helping them reach the MLS playoffs. Whether he succeeds, we will have to wait, but sadly, the wait for a Premier League appearance will perhaps go on indefinitely.
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