Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar, said Wednesday that he will join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi: “I made the decision to travel to Miami. I still haven’t finished it completely. “I’m missing a few things, but we’ve decided to continue my journey there,” the seven-time world player of the year stated in an interview published by the Spanish sites SPORT and Mundo Deportivo.
The huge revelation comes only months after Messi was awarded the Golden Ball at the World Cup – the honor given to the best player in the competition – and led his side to World Cup victory in December. It also came after rumors of a rich agreement in the Middle East and a return to his beloved Barcelona.
Instead, Messi has followed in the footsteps of other superstars who have relocated to the MLS.
The transfer to David Beckham’s Inter Miami is not altogether unexpected. Beckham is a big fan of Messi and once joked, “You never know what can happen in football,” when asked if he’d ever sign the Argentine.
Earlier Wednesday, Inter Miami’s CEO and managing owner tweeted a cryptic image of a No. 10 shirt with a partially exposed last name – exposing only the last two characters, “SI.”
MLS stated that a deal with Messi had not been reached, but that the potential of Messi playing in the league was welcomed.
“We are pleased that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami and Major League Soccer this summer,” the league said in a statement released on Wednesday. “Although work remains to be done in order to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our League.”
Messi’s next move has been a source of discussion since he announced his exit from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he played his final game on Saturday.
Before News about the transfer of Lionel Messi
According to an earlier BBC story by sports expert Guillem Balague, Messi is expected to reject an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Messi departed Barcelona in sorrow in 2021 after the club’s financial mismanagement, aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, rendered it unable to provide a new deal to its talisman.
Who said that Lionel Messi is going to join American Club Inter Miami?
According to FC Barcelona, the player’s father and representative, Jorge Messi, told club president Joan Laporta on Monday of his son’s desire to join Inter Miami despite an offer from a European club.
According to the statement, Laporta “understood and respected Messi’s decision to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subjected to in recent years.”
Laporta and Messi agreed to collaborate on promoting a “tribute from Barça fans to honor a footballer who has been, is, and always will be beloved by Barça.”
Messi won two Ligue 1 titles in his two seasons at PSG but was unable to assist the club win the Champions League for the first time in its history.
Messi’s stint at PSG was cut short after he was punished for an unapproved travel to Saudi Arabia, for which he later apologized.
On Saturday, PSG suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to Clermont Foot in his farewell game for the club.
Messi’s final season in Paris was a disaster. Despite his 21 goals and 20 assists in all competitions. Which helped PSG win the Ligue 1 title, the club failed to advance beyond the last 16 of the Champions League, the trophy the club most desires.
Some PSG fans booed Messi during his farewell match, as well as in a number of recent games. Messi enjoyed 17 trophy-laden years at Barcelona before his two-season tenure at PSG, where he went from schoolboy to sporting hero.
Messi’s father stated earlier this week that a return to Barcelona would be his preferred move. In a recent interview with CNN Sport, Messi stated that he will continue to play as long as he enjoys it and that. At 35, he has a few more years to give.
“I’m only looking… to keep having fun and playing, which is what has always made me happy,” he remarked.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about Lionel Messi
How much is the Contract Money of Lionel Messi with Inter Miami?
How long is Messi’s Contracts with Inter Miami?
When did Messi joined to Inter Miami Club?
When was the first game of Lionel Messi in American FC Inter Miami?
When did Lionel Messi first Goal from Inter Miami?
