He can offer something — Barcelona sporting director addresses Messi loan rumours

Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, has shut down discussions around the possibility of exploiting the MLS offseason to sign Lionel Messi on loan, stating that it was impossible. 

Talk of Lionel Messi briefly returning to Europe on a short-term loan during the MLS off-season (mid-December to mid-February) gained traction after it was reported that his new Inter Miami contract situation permits him a temporary move to keep him match-sharp ahead of the 2026 World Cup. 

Several clubs, Barcelona among them, in the imagination of fans (who have chanted Messi’s name in the 10th minute of every match since their return to the Camp Nou), and parts of the press, and even Galatasaray were named as possible short-term hosts in those reports. 

Barcelona sporting director Deco has now explicitly shut the idea down. Asked about the possibility of Messi arriving on a winter loan, Deco said flatly that it “isn’t possible” and stressed Messi “has a contract” with Inter Miami.

“Leo Messi on a short-term loan? I don’t think that’s possible,” he said, per Fabrizio. “Leo has a contract. I don’t think it’s ever been brought up… Messi is always Messi; he can always offer something, but it’s not something we’ll talk about right now.”

Joan Laporta expressed similar sentiments recently, explaining that it was impossible to sign Messi, given his contract situation with the Herons and their sporting plans.