Gonzalo Higuain reveals David Beckham-owned Inter Miami want to sign Lionel Messi... but admits he could leave the MLS side before his Argentine compatriot's PSG deal ends in 2023 

• Lionel Messi only signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain in August
• Gonzalo Higuain and Messi appeared at three successive World Cups together
• Higuain plans to take a sabbatical when his current contract expires in 2022
• The 33-year-old has also ruled out returning for Argentina after retiring in 2019 

Inter Miami striker Gonzalo Higuain claims the MLS club are interested in signing Lionel Messi one day.

Messi ended his 21-year association with Barcelona this summer and signed a contract with Paris Saint-Germain until the end of June 2023.

Asked about the chances of the six-time Ballon d'Or winner joining the side owned by David Beckham and managed by Phil Neville, Higuain told ESPN in quotes carried by Goal: 'I don't want to get in trouble. I don't know about Leo in Miami.

'He signed for two years with PSG. The club wants it - we'll see.'

Higuain and Messi have teamed up regularly at international level for Argentina, with the pair playing at three successive World Cups and reaching the final in 2014, where Alejandro Sabella's men lost to Germany.

Any switch to the Herons would need to happen before the end of 2022 though if the duo wanted to join forces, with Higuain planning to take a break at the end of next season.

'I have another year on my contract, then I'll take a sabbatical, away from football and everything,' he explained.

After failing to score at the 2018 World Cup, Higuain retired from international duty in March the following year. What does the future hold on that front?

'I do not see the possibility of a return. There have been many years of wear and tear. My head was completely detached from the national team,' he admitted. 

'I am in another phase of my life. Today my priority is family. I would not change the opportunity to see my daughter smile for anything in the world.' 

In just their second season competing since they were founded in 2018, Inter Miami currently sit eighth in the 14-team Eastern Conference, with Neville's men having won six of their last nine league games to put them only one point off the play-offs.

Higuain has nine goals to his nine in 21 matches this season, with the latest of those coming in Saturday's 1-0 win over Columbus Crew.