Inter Miami director Chris Henderson can appreciate why talk of Lionel Messi moving to MLS is generating interest, but he is reluctant to fuel gossip.
As the final year of his current contract at Paris Saint-Germain approaches, the seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or is once again having questions about his future raised.
The Argentine icon has been rumoured to make an emotional return to Barcelona, but numerous rumours indicate that he may be tempted to take on a totally different challenge by teaming up with the team that Manchester United and England legend David Beckham co-owns in America.
When questioned by reporters about the rumours connecting an all-time great with a move to Florida, Henderson stated:
“I knew Messi would come up! It’s great to be connected with amazing players and our club connected with. I don’t want to comment on someone who’s not on our roster and speculation and rumours, but he’s one of the greatest players to have ever played the game.
“Messi on any team in the world is going to change that team. I don’t want to speculate and talk about him on our team, but he changes every league and every team that he plays for.
“It comes down to what is the character of the player? What is his motivation to come to the league?
“The balance between older players in this league and younger players, it comes down to that motivation, the fitness level of the player, why he’s coming and then being able to integrate him into what you’re doing as a club and where you going.”
Messi is now 35 years of age, but he has been at his destructive best for PSG in 2022-23 – with 12 goals and 14 assists recorded through 18 appearances in all competitions.
PSG is understandably reluctant to part with a player who is a sporting and marketing fantasy, so new terms have been proposed for Messi at Parc des Princes.
However, a final decision on his future is not anticipated until after Argentina’s second attempt to win the World Cup in Qatar.
