‘Not forgiven’: Front page drags Lionel Messi, split from Beckham looms

Lionel Messi is considering a club switch and split from team owner David Beckham following a brutal loss to his old club.

Ian Tuckey and Katherine Walsh - The Sun

2 min read

July 1, 2025 - 2:30PM

Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream might finally send him into the Premier League at the age of 38.

The football legend is tipped to consider a loan switch to a more competitive league ahead of Argentina’s WC title defence next summer.

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Inter Miami are keen to extend Messi’s two-year contract beyond 2025.

But even if he does sign a new deal, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner could also squeeze in a temporary stint with a top-flight European club.

Reports in the icon’s home country claim Messi wants regular high-level games before the 2026 World Cup in America.

It means the ex-Barcelona attacker could move for several months.

David Beckham’s Miami stunned observers by reaching the Club World Cup in the USA, finishing second in Group A before getting knocked out in the round of 16.

French sports newspaper L’Equipe got stuck into Messi. A front page before the round of 16 match read “Messi, all is not forgiven”, while the tagline after PSG’s victory was “The Lesson.”

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami got thrashed by his old team PSG at the Club World Cup.

Messi in particular looked frustrated as his old club Paris Saint-Germain outclassed his MLS team 4-0 in the last 16.

The four-time Champions League winner was even accused by some viewers of trying to punch former teammate Vitinha.

Inter Miami co-owner Beckham was on hand to watch the match before making a quick dash across the pond to be at in the Royal Box for the first day of Wimbledon.

Messi has never played for an English club. But ex-Manchester City manager Mark Hughes claimed Sheikh Mansour came in for him - on the day the Emirati businessman completed his A$418 million club takeover in 2008.

Lionel Messi was a frustrated figure after the Club World Cup exit. Photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images/AFP.

Sir David Beckham acknowledges the fans sling following a wrist operation at the PSG vs Inter Miami game in Atlanta. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Current Etihad chief Pep Guardiola is also understood to have fancied a reunion with his Barca old boy before his move to PSG in 2021.

There have been recent murmurs in Spain over a sentimental return to Barcelona.

But Spanish journalist Guillem Balague believes that’s unlikely, due to Messi’s difficult relationship with club president Joan Laporta.

So a first ever stint in England might sound enticing for a superstar with 112 goals in 193 internationals.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.