In modern parlance, this is called "fake news", or a totally false rumor.
At least that's what Lionel Messi claims, who was quick to react after the huge Times announcement.
This Sunday, the British daily claimed that the seven-time Ballon d'Or, currently at the World Cup with Argentina, on contract until June with PSG, would leave the capital to join Inter Miami, the MLS club of which David Beckham is the co-owner.
“It's wrong, there is no negotiation for Lionel to join Inter Miami next season.
There's nothing to say about Leo's future.
He is completely focused on the World Cup,” Marcelo Mendez replied to CNN.
Paris Saint-Germain also wants to extend Leo Messi's contract beyond June.
Leo Messi has not decided his future yet.
His camp guarantees that Leo is only focused on the World Cup and there's no agreement with any club.
🚨🇦🇷 #Messi
Inter Miami want Messi and will push;
but also PSG will offer Leo a new deal soon.
Messi's decision will be made in 2023. pic.twitter.com/rXQ6bvZvLS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 27, 2022
According to the Times, the Florida club would also be interested in two former teammates of Messi at Barça, Cesc Fabregas (who plays in Come in Italian Serie B), and Luis Suarez (Nacional Montevideo).
Small problem: the 35-year-old playmaker expressed his well-being at PSG and let it be known that he had adapted to his Parisian life, a little over a year after his arrival from FC Barcelona!