Man Utd flop rejects chance to reunite with Messi despite transfer phone call

01 January 2024 , 12:42

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Inter Miami star Lionel Messi (Image: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo has rejected the opportunity to link up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

Rojo, who was international teammates with Messi between 2011 and 2019, could have become Miami's latest high-profile signing following the capture of former Liverpool and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez on a free transfer from Gremio.

Alongside the addition of Messi last season, the David Beckham-owned club also signed his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba as well as appointing former Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino as their new head coach.

And according to a report from Argentine newspaper Clarin, they also attempted to sign Rojo from Boca Juniors. Rojo has been at Boca since departing Old Trafford in 2021 and the report claims that Miami approached him with a 'million dollar offer' to come to the MLS.

Rojo is said to have been personally contacted by both Messi and Martino about the move but the 33-year-old ultimately decided to remain at Boca, reportedly sending manager Juan Roman Riquelme a WhatsApp message stating: "I'm staying here."

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He is under contract with Boca until December 2025 and intends to see out his deal, having also rejected an approach from Brazilian club Palmeiras. Since joining Boca, Rojo has made 75 appearances across all competitions and helped them win the 2022 league title.

During a seven-year stint with United, the defender played more than 100 games and lifted the FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and Europa League. Miami, meanwhile, won the Leagues Cup last season but failed to reach the MLS playoffs.

Ex-Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo has rejected the chance to join Messi in the MLS (AFP)

They are hoping for a much improved showing in the league this year under Martino and he is confident they are in a good place to challenge next season. "I think the strength of the team is the desire to compete," Martino said.

"We are competing very well through many different competitions. We set objectives and we try to achieve them and there is a conviction that we can compete and achieve them no matter what."

Miami will begin their pre-season later this month, before kicking off the new MLS campaign with a home game against Real Salt Lake on February 21.

Matthew Cooper