Lionel Messi to vacation, visit Argentina before joining Inter Miami

Lionel Messi will take a short vacation and spend some time in Argentina before joining Inter Miami.

On Thursday, after Argentina’s 2-0 friendly win over Australia in China, where Messi scored the fastest goal of his international career, he was asked if he was anxious to join Inter Miami.

“No, I want to go on vacation and then we’ll start again,” said Messi.

On June 7, Messi told Mundo Deportivo and Sport that he would continue his career in the United States.

“I’ve decided that I’ll go to Miami,” Messi said. “(The deal) is still not done 100 percent. I have some things that are pending, but we’ve decided to continue our path there.”

Argentina is scheduled to face Indonesia in Jakarta on Monday, but Messi will instead leave the team and head to Europe before traveling to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, to celebrate his 36th birthday on June 24. Messi is also expected to attend at least one testimonial match in Argentina while he’s there.

Juan Roman Riquelme, currently vice president of football at Boca Juniors, will celebrate his testimonial on June 25 at La Bombonera. On Wednesday, Riquelme confirmed that Messi would be the guest of honor.

“Messi will be there,” Riquelme said. “It’s also a dream for me.”

Messi’s former Argentina teammate Maxi Rodriguez will be honored by Newell’s Old Boys on Messi’s birthday at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa in Rosario. Rodriguez has said that his former international teammate is invited, but Messi’s presence that day has not been confirmed. Messi started his youth career at Newell’s.

The timing of Messi’s arrival in Miami remains unclear, but as reported by The Athletic on Wednesday, his contract with MLS remains a work in progress.

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(Photo: Lintao Zhang / Getty Images)