In a surprising turn of events, Lionel Messi has declared his intention to join Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team, as a free agent. This decision comes after his departure from French champions Paris St Germain (PSG) and his rejection of a lucrative contract offer from Saudi Arabia.
Having played his final game for PSG over the weekend, Messi was also linked with a return to his former club Barcelona. However, Barcelona’s hands were tied due to LaLiga’s financial fair play rules, making a reunion impossible.
In an exclusive interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspapers:
“I made the decision that I’m going to go to Miami. I still haven’t closed it 100%. I’m still missing a few things, but we decided to go ahead. If Barcelona didn’t work out, I wanted to leave Europe, get out of the spotlight, and think more about my family”
Messi stated
The Argentine superstar, who led his national team to World Cup glory in Qatar last December and has received a record seven Ballon d’Or awards, achieved considerable success during his two seasons with PSG. He secured the Ligue 1 title and won the French Super Cup in 2022.
“After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barca, it was time to go to the U.S. league to experience football in a different way and enjoy the day-to-day,” Messi explained. “Obviously, with the same responsibility and desire to win and always perform well, but with more peace of mind.”
This move to Inter Miami is also a significant victory for MLS, which eagerly welcomed Messi while acknowledging that the finalization of formal details is still pending.
MLS expressed their enthusiasm on Twitter, stating:
“The 🐐 is coming. Millions of MLS fans all over the world welcome you, Leo,” with a goat emoji symbolizing Messi as the “greatest of all time.”
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Messi desired a club where he could eventually hold an ownership stake. It is expected that his contract with Inter Miami will allow him to do so once he retires. Additionally, Messi will receive a portion of the revenue from Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, which broadcasts the league’s games, and he will have the opportunity to maximize his existing sponsorship agreement with Adidas.
The footballing world eagerly anticipates Messi’s arrival in the United States and his contributions to the growth of soccer in the country. As one of the greatest players of all time, his presence in the MLS is sure to captivate fans and elevate the league to new heights.
