On Wednesday, Lionel Messi announced his decision to join Major League Soccer (MLS) team Inter Miami, opting for a move to the United States instead of a reunion with Barcelona or a high-profile deal to play in Saudi Arabia.
Inter Miami, which was co-founded in 2018 by former English footballer David Beckham, recently dismissed coach Phil Neville as the team was struggling in the Eastern Conference.
The 35-year-old Argentine forward has spent the past two seasons playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after leaving Barcelona in 2021, where he had spent the majority of his illustrious career.
Both MLS and Inter Miami confirmed the news on social media, although the league mentioned that “work remains to finalize a formal agreement.”
“I’ve taken the decision that I am going to Miami; I don’t have the deal 100 per cent sealed, or maybe there’s something left to do, but we decided to continue our path there,” Messi told Spanish newspapers Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo.
“After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barca, it’s time to go to MLS to live football in a different way and enjoy my day-to-day life more.”
Messi is a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and is expected to earn the individual accolade once more after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in December.
The football community had been anxiously anticipating Lionel Messi’s decision following PSG’s recent confirmation of his departure.
Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, had options such as a sentimental return to Barcelona or the allure of lucrative financial opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
However, Messi ultimately chose to join MLS, with Miami being his destination of choice.
The decision is particularly notable as Messi has previously enjoyed vacations in the city, adding a touch of personal connection to his move.
“If it had been a question of money, I would have gone to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere,” said Messi.
“It seemed a lot of money and the truth is that my decision went another way and not for money.”
Some reports say key MLS sponsors including Adidas and Apple TV, who own the league’s domestic broadcasting rights, may be contributing to his deal.
Messi, who turns 36 later this month, is now set to finish his club career outside the spotlight of top-level European football.
