Luis Miguel Echegaray, ESPNOct 20, 2023, 09:55 AM ET
Welcome to Onside/Offside! Each week, Luis Miguel Echegaray discusses the latest from the soccer world, including standout performances, games you might have missed and what to keep an eye on in the coming days.
This week, LME discusses Lionel Messi‘s plans for the rest of the year and why the footballing world should take note, Wayne Rooney’s debut as Birmingham City manager, and the American flavor that will take place when AC Milan face Juventus this Sunday in Serie A.
Messi deserves his time off, and so does the rest of the footballing world
After shining once again with the Argentinian national team in World Cup qualifiers, Messi is back in the U.S., ready to wrap up his first season with Inter Miami. They didn’t make the playoffs, but in a short span of time he already gave this young club — and MLS — something to celebrate after winning the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami’s first ever trophy.
So what’s next for Messi seeing as there is no postseason for him?
Well, as we told you here on ESPN from the very beginning — and as Messi himself confirmed — there was never going to be a loan deal to Europe or Barcelona. He will continue to train with Inter Miami and prepare for CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers in November and then take a well-deserved break in December when he will head to Argentina before returning to work again in January. It will be the longest break this 36-year-old star has ever had in his career.
This is something to celebrate and, whether he meant it or not, it’s a great message for the rest of the footballing world. Players need more time off as the schedule — including league action, international tournaments, qualifiers and friendlies, other domestic competitions, plus the summer calendar — is too much. Look at the Premier League right now. Per premierinjuries.com, there are 131 total injuries from the 20 teams in the top flight. Neymar Jr. just suffered another serious one against Uruguay this week, an ACL tear and meniscus issue that will keep him out for at least eight months.
Messi’s long break sets an example and choosing not to go on loan is a great message. Less is more.