The biggest story of the 2023 summer transfer window has broken, Lionel Messi is headed to the MLS to play for Inter Miami. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had the world on its toes in 2021 when his exit from Barcelona was confirmed until when he chose Paris Saint-Germain as his next destination.
The same has happened in the past month after his exit from PSG was confirmed until when he chose Inter Miami as his next destination. Messi, who turns 36 in a few weeks, will now be moving to the third club of his illustrious career which has seen him win 43 trophies to tie former Brazil international Dani Alves as the most decorated player in all of football.
His biggest achievements to date are two FIFA World Cup finals – one of which he emerged victorious – and the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony, where he has been honoured a record-setting seven times as the world’s best player. After two years in France in which he won three titles, h has now chosen the quietness of Major League Soccer for his next football adventure as he nears his retirement from the beautiful game.
It is a big disappointment for Barcelona fans, who were made to believe that his return to the club for a farewell season or two was all but assured.
The club would put out a statement to that effect, pointing out that they had most of the necessary requirements to bring back their greatest player to the Spotify Camp Nou, but that the move fell through thanks to some issues that Messi could not get past.
The former PSG man’s move to America is also a big blow to the Saudi Pro League and the whole of Saudi Arabia, who saw a billion-Euro deal turned down by Messi, who they hoped to sign to boost the image of their football and help their 2030 FIFA World Cup bid.
Messi will now be moving to America in the coming days to sign his contract with Inter Miami as the latest superstar to touch down on the pitches of the MLS. The Athletic reports that the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner will receive, alongside his salary from Inter Miami, a share of the revenue from Apple TV+’s MLS Season Pass (broadcasting rights) and a share of Adidas’ profits from their MLS deal.
Messi will also get a reported 25 per cent ownership stake in the club, which could see the club’s valuation rise to $1 billion while he represents them. It is understood that Messi had proposed a deal to the MLS to let him play for Barcelona for one season on loan but there has been no news to that effect. Messi will be making his debut after the international break, as the MLS season is still ongoing.
