Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, is reportedly set to join Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) expires at the end of June. Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the best footballers of all time, had received multiple offers from various football clubs, including Barcelona and Al Hilal, but his wish is to move to America and play for Inter Miami, a team part-owned by David Beckham. The prospect of playing in the United States, where he owns a house in Miami, has long been an ambition of Messi’s, and it seems that he will finally get to realize it.
Messi’s father and agent Jorge was recently in talks with Barcelona’s President Joan Laporta about a possible return to Catalonia, but an offer could not materialize due to LaLiga’s financial fair play rules. Although Barcelona was keen to re-sign their former star player, they were unable to make an offer that complied with the league’s regulations.
Inter Miami, which became an MLS team in 2020, currently sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and is without a manager after parting ways with Phil Neville last week. Despite this, the club has managed to secure the services of one of the best footballers of all time. While there are concerns about how Messi will adapt to the MLS, there is no doubt that his presence will attract more fans and generate more interest in the league. Inter Miami will benefit from the increased media attention and sponsorship deals that come with having one of the sport’s biggest names on their team.
According to reports, Messi was offered a staggering $400M per season to play for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, but the financial aspect was not the only criterion that influenced his decision. Although money is undoubtedly a factor in any player’s decision-making process, Messi’s move to Inter Miami was also motivated by a desire for a fresh challenge and a change of scenery. Moreover, the prospect of playing in the United States and being part of the growth of football in the country is an exciting opportunity for Messi.
Messi made 75 appearances in all competitions for PSG and scored 32 goals, helping the French club win back-to-back Ligue 1 titles since his transfer from Barcelona in 2021. His move to Inter Miami is expected to be one of the biggest deals in the history of American soccer and a landmark moment for the sport in the United States. Messi’s arrival will undoubtedly raise the profile of football in America and inspire a new generation of players to take up the sport. Moreover, it will be fascinating to see how he adapts to the MLS and what impact he has on Inter Miami’s fortunes in the league.
