'Never say never' – Fabregas refuses to rule out Messi reunion at Como
Cesc Fabregas believes Lionel Messi is content at Inter Miami but will not rule out the prospect of the Argentine one day joining Como.
Lionel Messi's former Barcelona team-mate Cesc Fabregas has refused to rule out signing the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner for Como, though he believes the Argentine is happy at Inter Miami.
Messi's contract with Miami is due to expire at the end of the 2025 MLS season, and he is currently in negotiations to extend his stay in Fort Lauderdale.
The 38-year-old has continued to light up the league this term, with his 18 goals putting him joint-first in the scoring charts, alongside Nashville SC's Sam Surridge.
Messi also has seven assists and recently scored a brace in five consecutive MLS matches – a competition record.
Though that run was halted in a 3-0 defeat at FC Cincinnati on July 16, Messi then got his sixth double in seven games as Miami trounced the New York Red Bulls 5-1 on the road on Saturday.
While Messi was on the road with his Herons team-mates, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three children were spotted in the stands at Como, as the Serie A side beat Lille 3-2 in a friendly last Friday.
Fabregas – who is both Como's head coach and a minority shareholder – was asked if Messi could join the club at a press conference to preview Wednesday's match against Al-Ahli.
"Never say never," the former midfielder replied.
"Antonela was here over at my house on vacation for a week with us, because Leo was going to be a week away playing in Cincinnati and New York.
"They took advantage to take a trip and see friends. We are very close friends, our wives are very good friends, our children are of similar ages.
"After the [Lille] game, I told [Como sporting director] Carlalberto Ludi that we can never say that Messi didn't play at Como, because his children were playing here, and it's always beautiful because of the history we have.
"But no, he is very happy in America, so let's be calm."
Fabregas played with Messi between 2011 and 2014, having returned to Barcelona from Arsenal. The duo played together on 126 occasions, with Barca winning 84 of those games.
On Tuesday, it was also confirmed that Como will be Barcelona's opponents for the 60th edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy, the Catalans' traditional season curtain-raiser.
