Guillem Balague asserts that Lionel Messi will not pursue a loan move to another team once the Major League Soccer season concludes.

The 36-year-old Inter Miami captain has been the subject of speculation regarding a potential return to Barcelona or a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Inter Miami's playoff hopes were dashed after a 1-0 defeat to FC Cincinnati on Saturday, and their season concludes on October 21st.

Argentine World Cup winner Messi has only played 72 minutes in the MLS since early September due to injury.

Argentina will play World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil on November 17 and 22, respectively, following the completion of the MLS regular season. Messi is expected to leave on a month-long vacation after that.

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“Messi will have around one month holiday, like other footballers. So forget any move to Saudi or similar,” says Spanish football expert Balague.

He will then return for pre-season in Miami with the MLS new season starting in February.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Inter Miami from Paris St-Germain in July and guided the club to their first Leagues Cup victory in August, before losing the US Open Cup.

Although he has scored 11 goals in 13 games for the side, only one of those has come in his five MLS appearances.

Messi has been linked with a return to Barcelona ever since he left for PSG in 2021 after 21 years at the club.

Asked about the rumours after the loss to FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami manager Tata Martino said: “That’s surprising. I know nothing about that. If you’re telling me that he’s going to go visit Barcelona on vacation, yes, it’s probable, but I don’t have any information on the other part.”