It is “hypothetical,” according to Phil Neville, to talk of Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami.
Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the current campaign, and the erratic attacker has been heavily linked to a transfer to Miami.
Barcelona is reportedly interested in bringing Messi back to Camp Nou, which would mark a remarkable return for the player to the team to which he bid a sorrowful farewell in August 2021.
While expressing his respect for Messi, Inter head coach Neville, who signed a new deal on Monday, remained mum when asked about rumors that he would join Major League Soccer.
Gary Neville’s statement
When asked if Messi might possibly be acquired, the former Manchester United defender responded:
“I think that’s hypothetical really. The best player in the world, I’m looking forward to seeing him play at the World Cup, alongside other great players.
“We actually let him inside our house about five, six weeks ago, when Argentina were here. I watched all the sessions to see those great players on our pitch one and pitch two. It was something really special for the club.
“And I think when you talk about characters, when you talk about humility, when you talk about the right type of people, that Argentinian squad and staff were absolutely incredible. Incredible towards our football club.
“We had a little scrimmage against them, the MLS 2 [MLS Next Pro] side, you obviously saw the pictures of their players signing autographs; signing arms, signing legs, signing shoes. It was just the most incredible week.
“I think we’re really lucky here. We’ve had Barcelona here, we’ve had Argentina here, we’ve got the US national women’s team here now, some of the players are training out there now. It’s brilliant for this football club, and it shows the level of facility that we’ve got.
“I’m not going to speculate on any kind of transfer activity, but what I would say is that is exactly the type of character that I saw in that week, that those Argentinian players were a credit to their country, and to their profession.”
Chris Henderson comment on Messi’s possible transfer to the club
Chris Henderson, the director of sports for Inter, was questioned about the possibility of bringing Messi to Florida but didn’t reveal anything.
