One former Manchester United player could be reunited with Lionel Messi at the Club World Cup after being contacted by Inter Miami for the second time in recent weeks.
Manchester United will not be involved in the first edition of the redesigned Club World Cup, which has caused controversy due to the extra amount of games for those taking part.
Chelsea and Manchester City are the two teams included from England, while David Beckham-owned Inter Miami are also going to be competing in the tournament held in the United States.
We have already seen multiple teams trying to conduct transfer business purely for the Club World Cup, with Al-Hilal’s attempts to sign Bruno Fernandes being based largely around him playing for them in it.
Now, reports have revealed that Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are searching for defensive reinforcements for the tournament and are eyeing one of United’s former centre-backs.
Rojo contacted by Inter Miami for second time
Marcos Rojo spent seven years at Old Trafford between 2014 and 2021 and is now playing his football for boyhood club Boca Juniors. He has been there since he departed the Reds.
Many United fans remember Rojo fondly despite some crazy moments from the South American centre-back. Despite his hard-hitting approach, he never received a red card during his time at the club.
Inter Miami, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight MLS fixtures, are keen to improve their defensive line before the Club World Cup.
According to TNT Sports Argentina, the Miami-based side are weighing up a summer swoop to bring in 35-year-old Rojo this month.
That move would see him reunited with his ex-Argentina teammates Javier Mascherano and Messi, with Mascherano being the head coach at Inter Miami.
Rojo recalls Messi conversation last summer
Funnily enough, this is not the first time that Rojo has been on the transfer list for the MLS outfit, with Messi himself calling the defender about a move this time last year.
Rojo previously revealed that he had spoken to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner on the phone, but he refused the deal out of loyalty towards Boca.
Speaking to Argentine news outlet Radio La Red, Rojo said: “Leo called me, it’s not like it was just anyone or an intermediary, no-one. I spoke with Leo Messi, who told me about the possibility of going to Inter.
“Imagine what that means for any footballer. The truth is I was not convinced to leave Boca, I had recently renewed. I was 100 per cent convinced to continue in Boca and I want to continue doing it.”
Read More: Manchester United ‘set to rival Chelsea’ for signing of five-time Premier League winning defender
It remains to be seen whether or not Rojo’s stance has changed, but Inter Miami will have to act swiftly if they want him to join, with their opening fixture of the Club World Cup coming on Saturday, 14 June.
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