untitled-design-2023-10-18t191020-053.png
Getty Images

Lionel Messi denied rumors that he will go on loan this winter after Inter Miami missed out on a spot in this year's MLS Cup playoffs, and instead said he will use the time off for a much-needed break.

Messi made himself available for Miami's final match of the season on Saturday at Charlotte FC after playing 90 minutes in Argentina's 2-0 win over Peru on Tuesday. The match marked the first time the player started a match since Sept. 20 after dealing with fitness issues.

"I will train, I will play the game that is coming up now and I will try to arrive in the best possible way for November if I can be there again," he said following his victory with the national team, per Argentinian outlet TyC Sports. "Then enjoy the holidays, in Argentina, which is the first time that I am going to have many more days in December with the holidays with peace of mind with my people and in January I will return to do preseason again . Start from scratch and prepare as best as possible as always."

Messi's schedule for the year will not end on Saturday in Charlotte. He is expected to take part in Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil on Nov. 16 and Nov. 21, respectively, and could participate in Miami's two-game tour of China before that. The MLS team is set to play Qingdao Hainiu FC on Nov. 5 and Chengdu Rongcheng on Nov. 8.

Regardless of how many more minutes Messi logs in 2023, the time off is well deserved. He has played regularly since Aug. 2022, when he began the season with his ex-club Paris Saint-Germain. He was a constant fixture in the lineup until the season ended on Jun. 3 of this year, and played every game for Argentina at last year's World Cup in the middle of the European season. Messi then played his first game for Miami on Jul. 21 and was virtually undroppable until he started experiencing fitness issues last month.

Don't miss CBS Sports Golazo Network's Morning Footy, now in podcast form! Our crew brings you all the news, views, highlights and laughs you need to follow the Beautiful Game in every corner of the globe, every Monday-Friday all year long

The World Cup winner said his first few months with Miami were grueling, but provides promise for next season.

"The truth is, it's a shame, we were close," he said about missing the playoffs. "I missed the last games, we had several injuries. The month of July was very hard for us, we played every three days, we traveled but we won an important tournament for the club, for what's coming next year."