Messi is ignoring calls from Barcelona amid interest from Inter Miami

PSG superstar Lionel Messi is reportedly ignoring phone calls from his former club Barcelona, as they eye a sensationally fairytale return.

The 35-year-old is being heavily linked with a move back to the Spanish giants, having only left Barca for PSG in the summer of 2021.

The Argentina international is out of contract at PSG this summer and is yet to sign a new deal, leaving the door open for other clubs to potentially tempt him away with MLS side Inter Miami also showing a huge interest.

Barcelona, however, have been dealt a huge blow in their hopes to bring Messi back, as he has been ignoring phone calls from a negotiator close to club president Joan Laporta, according to Spanish outlet Sport.

Messi has been in blistering hot form for PSG so far this campaign, notching 12 goals and adding a further 13 assists in just 17 appearances, meaning he has been the most effective player in Europe.

Despite finally finding his feet in France after struggling to make a huge impact in his first season at the Le Parc des Princes, he is yet to extend his contract.

Given he has not signed a new deal and is said to be ignoring calls from Barca, it leaves David Beckham's MLS franchise Inter Miami in a good position, as they look tempt Messi to America.

This comes after it has previously been reported by The Athletic that secret talks have been ongoing for several months between his representatives and those of Inter Miami, who appear to be leading the chase for his highly-coveted signature.

Inter Miami are now expecting Messi, one of the greatest players of all time, to sign for the club in the near future after having such advanced discussions.

Jorge and Jose Mas - the brothers who co-own Inter Miami alongside Beckham - are said to have held numerous meetings with Messi's father Jorge over a potential move.

A deal for Messi would be a huge coup for a club that was only founded four-and-a-half years ago and would arguably be a bigger signing for the MLS than when Beckham himself made the move stateside in 2007.

The Argentine, who is preparing to play in his last World Cup, can sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign team early next year.