Lionel Messi is entirely focused on Inter Miami’s upcoming season finale versus Charlotte FC for the foreseeable future.

The Argentine soccer player voiced his intention to spend the holidays at home with his family after missing the MLS playoffs with Inter Miami. Rumors circulated that Messi was considering a comeback to his former team, Barcelona, or moving to the Saudi Pro League this winter. But, for the time being, the only club match he’s paying attention to is Inter Miami’s game versus Charlotte on Saturday.

“It’s a shame [Miami did not make the playoffs],” he remarked. “We were almost there. I was unable to attend the final few games. We experienced a number of injuries. July was a particularly difficult month for us. Every three days, we played and traveled. But we won a tournament, which is significant for the club, and what will happen next year?”

“I’ll train, play our upcoming match [Saturday vs. Charlotte FC], and try to get here [to the national team] as soon as possible in November.” After that, I’ll spend my vacation in Argentina. It’s the first time I’ll get more days off in December, thanks to the holidays, peace of mind, and my people. I’ll be back in January to do the preseason. As always, start from the beginning and prepare as well as possible.”

Inter Miami will play Charlotte twice more this week to finish the season. Messi is anticipated to win his eighth Ballon d’Or prize as World Player of the Year later this month, but he is not scheduled to participate on Wednesday night because he will be returning from international duty.

Messi’s participation in Saturday’s game will be decided by Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino. “We will evaluate not only Leo but all players who are with their national teams when they return Thursday, as we are out of the playoffs and we don’t want to run any risks,” the coach stated.

Charlotte is on the verge of creating history by becoming the first team to qualify for the MLS playoffs. To do so, they must win both of their games against Miami this week. As a result, the squad will finish eighth in the Eastern Conference. If the team does not win two games, its chances of making the playoffs are minimal, and it will rely on other teams to proceed to the postseason in only its second season in the league.

Messi has been suffering from problems for the past four weeks and has been either sidelined or used as a substitute owing to what has been termed as a muscle problem and, at times, weariness. Despite his weariness, he started for Argentina in a 2-0 triumph over Peru on Tuesday night, scoring both goals.