With FC Barcelona star Sergio Roberto having been linked with a move to Inter Miami, yet another former player at the Camp Nou could reunite with Lionel Messi in the United States.
It is no secret that many of Inter Miami’s more recent signings were inspired by the presence of Messi in the team. Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez have since all joined the club, with the latter having just signed a one-year deal in December 2023.
Roberto will be out of contract in June 2024 in Catalonia but his manager Xavi Hernandez is pushing for the player to stay one more season at the club.
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“I would recommend to the club that they renew Sergi Roberto,” Xavi said, according to Mundo Deportivo. “They already know it. He is important, he can play in many positions.
“You have to explain very little to him. He knows what Barça is, what it represents. A highly criticized footballer, but he always plays at a high level. I’m delighted with him.”
As such, Roberto’s move to Major League Soccer is under increasing doubt and the Miami outfit are now linked with another one of Messi’s ex-teammates.
According to Spanish outlet AS, Philippe Coutinho has drawn the attention of the David Beckham co-owned team.
The report claims that the 31-year-old could make a switch to the US, where LA Galaxy would also be interested.
Countinho is currently on loan at Al-Duhail in Qatar after his parent club Aston Villa sanctioned the move in September 2023.
The English club have the option to allow the attacker to move to another club for the remainder of the season.
The former Liverpool player has been underwhelming in the Middle East, as he has only made nine appearances so far in all competitions and has missed 14 games through injury, according to Transfermarkt.
During that period, he has contributed four goals and one assist. Coutinho played 74 matches alongside Messi during their time at Barca, where the two had shared a great relationship.
Upon the Argentine’s shock departure from Catalan giants in 2021, the Brazilian thanked the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner for “everything”
According to Tribuna, Coutinho wrote on his Instagram at the time: "Leo Messi, thank you so much for everything. A great honour to have met you and played with you. I'm very grateful for the way you treated me and my family during that time!
"I wish you every success in your future and may God always bless your home and your family."
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