Insider refutes Lionel Messi rumor involving Inter Miami, Barcelona

One well-known insider believes Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi won't use Major League Soccer club Inter Miami to return to Barcelona this summer. 

Spanish football writer Guillem Balague reported for BBC Sport on Wednesday that Messi's camp "has told Barcelona the decision on his future is imminent and they cannot wait any longer for a proposal from them that has not arrived, despite promises the Catalan club would have something in place by now."

Balague offered his update after it was said that Inter Miami could sign Messi and then loan him to Barcelona for the 2023-24 season so that Barca could get around the financial issues that caused the 35-year-old to leave the Spanish giants as a free agent in the summer of 2021. However, Balague wrote that a loan deal between Inter Miami and Barcelona "is not on the cards." 

Balague added the idea of a loan "has come from the American club, but never had any chance of going past the talking stage." Balague also said Messi was never directly involved in any discussions about a potential partnership between Barcelona and Inter Miami regarding his services. 

It's been reported that Messi could earn approximately $400M annually playing in Saudi Arabia for club Al-Hilal. Balague reported that Saudi government officials "have been told Messi has accepted a very lucrative offer from Al-Hilal and are preparing for the move." 

As James Hunsley of Goal.com noted, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said on Tuesday that Messi's possible return to the Catalan club "depends on him 99 percent." Balague wrote that's not accurate because Barcelona "still have massive debts to cover and their spending capacity will be very limited" assuming Messi leaves Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent following this season. 

Balague reiterated that Messi ideally wants to stay in Europe and play in the UEFA Champions League ahead of the 2024 Copa America but hasn't received "attractive" offers. Perhaps Chris Wright of ESPN was correct when he suggested Messi modeling the Paris Saint-Germain kit for next season in recently released promotional material was a sign the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner could extend his stay with that club for one more campaign.