Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami exit ‘only a matter of time’ as Sergio Aguero hints Argentina legend will complete emotional move

Sergio Aguero says it’s “just a matter of time” before Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami exit as he hints at a return to Barcelona for the legend.

The Argentina legend spent 21 years of his childhood at the Camp Nou and won everything with the Catalans on his way to superstardom.

But he left the club in 2021 due to financial difficulties and bid an emotional farewell to Paris Saint-Germain.

The 36-year-old won two Ligue 1 titles in two years in France and led his country to the World Cup in December before leaving PSG this summer to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami Play in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Messi, who has lifted the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, turned down a lucrative contract offer from Saudi Arabia and Barcelona to return to the United States and give them their first trophy when they won the Carabao Cup.

However, despite seeing him enjoying life in Florida, his former Argentina team-mate and close friend Aguero told AS that “sometimes I just think it’s only a matter of time before he returns to Barcelona”.

The former Manchester City striker insisted it was something the pair had “not discussed” but added: “Leo always said he loved Barcelona.”

He also said the veteran still feels “very identified with the club and the city”.

Barcelona said it hoped to arrange a friendly match to give Messi a chance to say goodbye to the fans.

Inter Miami’s deal with Messi includes an option for him to become a stakeholder in the club.

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The contract runs until 2025, with an option to extend for 12 months.

Messi also discussed the possibility of returning to Argentina’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys before retiring.

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