"Being overturned after falling behind by two goals is something no one could have expected." Just a few days ago, in the Italian Super Cup final, Inter Milan (referred to as Inter) was in a favorable position but was overtaken by their arch-rival AC Milan to a score of 3-2. At the sound of the final whistle, the expressions on the faces of Inter's players and staff were not enough to be described as "unwilling." Not to mention, the failure in the Italian Super Cup caused the team's morale this season to plummet to the bottom - don't forget that Inter used to be a team accustomed to soaring at the forefront of the storm, but now they can't even win a game meant to boost morale.
What to do? At this moment, a surprising rumor exploded: Messi might join Inter on a short-term loan in the winter! If this seven-time Ballon d'Or-winning legendary player really puts on the blue and black jersey, will Inter's fate be completely reversed? Or is this deal just a dream? Many people can't help but ask: Didn't Messi go to the United States early and set fire to Miami International again? What does he want to achieve by coming to Serie A?
The story starts with Messi's next plans. As a 36-year-old veteran, coupled with leading Argentina to win the World Cup, almost no one would question his professional loyalty. However, Messi's goal is very clear: for the upcoming important events, he still wants to maintain a high level of competitive state. "Someone asked me why Messi is still working so hard? Because he never gets satisfied," an Argentine football journalist once commented on Messi.
By the end of the year, the Argentine national team may face a series of warm-up matches for the World Cup, and in order to maintain his form, Messi followed the advice of his agent team and planned to rent a European club during the winter window to recover his previous state against high-intensity competitions. Thus, Inter entered his field of vision. This seems incredible at first glance, but upon careful consideration, it actually has clues.
Messi's loan is inseparable from the consideration of "equality," the most important point of which is the league environment where Inter is located. Unlike the brutal competition of the Premier League, although Serie A holds a significant position in the hearts of old fans, its pace has been slow in recent years. For Messi, who has repeatedly suffered from injuries, this "lukewarm" match rhythm is actually more suitable, helping him reduce the risk of injury.
Moreover, Argentine internationals and good buddies Lautaro and Correa have also established themselves at Inter. Speaking of Lautaro, he is truly a "golden partner." The two of them wear the same blue and white jerseys for the Argentine national team and have become a well-known attacking and defensive duo among fans. During the 2021 Copa America, Lautaro repeatedly pulled the defense line for Messi, creating scoring opportunities, while Messi repaid his teammate with precise passes time and time again. If this kind of tacit understanding can be extended from the national team to the club, wouldn't Inter start a wave of enthusiasm?
The most critical factor is the presence of Inter Vice President Javier Zanetti. As a legend of the club, his status in the Argentine football circle is no less than Messi himself. In the past, Zanetti personally promoted Cambiasso, Samuel, and other Argentine internationals to join Inter, and these people later became signature figures of the club. If there is anyone who can make Messi quickly decide on a short-term rental contract at present, Zanetti would undoubtedly take the credit.
Why does Inter take the risk of introducing a short-term player? The answer is simple: commercial value and enhancement of competitive strength. To this day, Inter's financial problems are no longer a secret. The team had to sell star forward Lukaku to raise funds, then splurged in the transfer market without achieving the expected results. Can Messi's appearance directly solve these problems?
From a commercial perspective, the answer may be affirmative. After all, wherever Messi goes, he is a cash machine. In his first month joining Miami International, he boosted ticket sales in MLS and almost caused Adidas' jersey production line to overload. If Messi wears this blue and black jersey, it may once again trigger panic buying of jerseys, and major brand sponsors will come knocking.
In terms of competition, it is even easier to understand. Simply put, Messi's role on the field is to drive every frontcourt attack of Inter. His ability to read the game is like a chess master staring at the whole board. Every time he appears in the center of the opponent's penalty area, the fans' expectations naturally rise.
However, there are also problems. Is it worth making large-scale adjustments for a single-point player in such a short-term loan deal? After all, whether Messi can quickly adapt to the unfamiliar Serie A league and integrate with his teammates is still unknown. After the 1994 World Cup, Maradona's failed move to Sevilla is still vivid in memory - the halo of genius may not be able to withstand environmental discomfort.
In fact, this model is not the first to appear in Serie A. In 2009, English star David Beckham chose to be loaned to AC Milan during his off-season with the LA Galaxy. At that time, Beckham, though not young, was still in peak condition. In the end, he not only helped Milan qualify for the European spot at the end of the season but also won applause both inside and outside the team. If Messi can replicate such success, the Inter management will be worth celebrating with champagne.
But as mentioned earlier, the environment is always changing. In Beckham's era, the competition in Serie A was more intense, and similar loan collaborations also required both parties to cooperate closely to achieve maximum benefits. This time, whether the delicate relationship between Messi, Miami International, and Inter is harmonious enough will directly determine the feasibility of the transaction.
Standing from Messi's point of view, if he can really start this short journey in Serie A, it will undoubtedly add a perfect piece to his career map. After all, from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, and then to the American MLS, he has left his footprints on various continents. And Serie A, as the only one of the top five leagues that he has not yet set foot in, is undoubtedly his "historical blank."
Just imagine, if Messi really puts on the blue and black jersey and appears on the green field of San Siro, he will rekindle the passion in the hearts of countless Serie A fans for this land. For him personally, it is also an opportunity to consolidate his legendary status. "If you have won everything, why not complete the last piece of the puzzle?"
Everything is possible, but whether it succeeds or not, fans will ultimately have to wait until the winter window opens to reveal the answer. Let's wait and see if this "three-party adventure" involving Messi, Inter, and Serie A can come true!