Argentinian soccer superstar Lionel Messi is set to join the MLS this year, after announcing he is to sign a contract with club Inter Miami. “I made the decision that I am going to Miami. I still haven’t closed it one hundred percent. I’m missing some things but we decided to continue my journey there,” Messi stated, to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, as reported by CNN.
Messi has been an underwhelming player for French club Paris Saint-Germain since his contract began in August 2021. His contract with the club officially expires in June. Before PSG, Messi was a coveted star with the Spanish club Barcelona from 2004 to 2021. With Barcelona, Messi had won a La Liga title 10 times, as well as helping the club win the UEFA Champions League 4 times. Unfortunately, a financial crisis in Barcelona led to his leave. Outside of club achievements, the star most recently helped Argentina's international team win the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and Copa America a year prior in 2021. On an individual level, Messi has won FIFA's Ballon d'Or award 7 times between 2009 and 2021.
After playing his final game for PSG on June 3, rumors would arise about Messi's departure and his new playing destination. Yahoo! Sports explains, "So Messi became a soon-to-be free agent, and seemingly had three options: A lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia (some $400 million per year), a creative-but-less-lucrative offer from Inter Miami, and a non-existent offer from Barcelona." A reunion in Barcelona seemed all but likely due to the financial issues at the club, and "countless officials in Spain had talked up the possibility that Barca could sell several players to make room for Messi underneath spending caps" (Yahoo! Sports).
Messi ultimately chose to move to Florida to take a step back out of the international spotlight. Inter Miami sits in last place in the MLS' Eastern Conference standings, but the press that Messi could bring to the club and league is an outstanding opportunity for the United States. The 2024 Copa America and 2026 World Cup will both be played in the US, the next step into publicizing the sport of soccer further in the country.
While no contract has been inked, the initial tenure of Messi with Inter Miami is expected to be around 2 and a half years, the price sitting over $100 million. Yahoo! Sports also reports, The deal will reportedly include commercial arrangements with Apple and Adidas, two key MLS partners, for cuts of the broadcast and merchandise revenue that the Argentine superstar will generate. It also could give Messi an option to purchase a minority stake in Inter Miami after he has finished playing."
MLS released a statement on the matter: "We are pleased that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami and Major League Soccer this summer. Although work remains to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our League."
Messi is expected to join the club officially after the MLS transfer window opens on July 5.
he should’ve gone to saudi arabia