Lionel Messi, the world-renowned Argentine forward, has officially confirmed that he will continue his football career in Major League Soccer (MLS). He turned down offers from Al-Hilal and Barcelona and will be playing for Inter Miami from the United States. The MLS soccer club announced the move via social media, and it was later confirmed by US Premier League Soccer, stating that the details of the deal are still lacking, but there are many reasons to sign one of the best players of all time. Messi will become a free agent on June 30, 2023, after two seasons at PSG.
Argentine forward Lionel Messi will continue his career in MLS. The star striker turned down offers from Al-Hilal and Barcelona and ended up being team-mates with Ukrainian defender Serhiy Kryvtsov.
Lionel Messi will be an Inter Miami player from the United States. After the Argentine himself confirmed the deal, it was the turn of the MLS soccer club to announce the move via a social media video.
The video contains clippings from various news reports that either talk about different destinations or cast doubt on the player’s journey to the club from the United States.
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) June 7, 2023
Major League Soccer also commented on the purchase. US Premier League Soccer stated Messi’s desire to join Inter Miami, stressing that the details of the deal were still lacking, but said there were many reasons to sign one of the best players of all time.
- Also read: The decision is made: Messi has officially named his new club where he will continue his career
On June 30, Messi will become a free agent after two seasons at PSG. According to the British edition of the BBC, at Inter Miami he will receive an annual salary of 60 million euros.
Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia even offered one and a half billion euros a year, but Messi refused. There was also a chance to return to Barcelona, but the Spanish club could not solve the financial problems.
In May 2021, Messi bought a luxury apartment in Miami for 55 million euros. By the way, it was in the North American city that Lionel spent part of his vacation with his family after winning the America’s Cup.
Lionel Messi. Photo: FC PSG
Messi will continue to receive a percentage of the profits from Adidas, the supplier of sportswear for all MLS teams, which also has a contract with the star. Inter Miami’s owners will also give Messi the chance to retain a percentage of the club’s shares after his retirement.
- Inter Miami will become the third club in Messi’s career to wear a Barcelona shirt for 17 seasons before moving to PSG in 2021. This will be the star’s debut for a club outside of European football.
- Messi, 35, joined PSG from Barcelona as a free agent in the summer of 2021. Last season, Lionel played 41 games in all competitions, scoring 21 goals and making 20 assists.
- Messi became the world champion last year as part of the Argentine national team, where he is the captain.
- Inter Miami has played 16 games, scored 15 points and is in last 15th place in the Eastern Conference MLS championship standings.
