Lionel Messi has set his sights on Major League Soccer (MLS) as he announced on June 7 that he will be signing with Inter Miami, making the United States his next footballing destination. In interviews with Spanish media, the 35-year-old Argentine superstar revealed his decision to join Inter Miami over the prospects of reuniting with Barcelona or pursuing a blockbuster deal in Saudi Arabia.
After spending the past two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi bid farewell to the club following his final game on Saturday. His move to PSG in 2021 marked a significant departure from Barcelona, where he had spent the majority of his illustrious career. Follow your favourite football team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.
Messi explained that he was not willing to wait for Barcelona to overcome their financial challenges in order to secure his signing. Barcelona’s inability to retain him before his transfer to PSG resulted in an emotional departure, and Messi admitted, “I was afraid that it would happen again.” Speaking to Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo, Spanish newspapers, he confirmed his choice to join Inter Miami, even though the deal may not be completely finalized.
While Messi did receive offers from other European clubs, he revealed that he did not seriously consider them. His primary intention was to return to Barcelona, but the circumstances prevented a reunion. “After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barca, it’s time to go to MLS to experience football in a different way and enjoy my day-to-day life more,” Messi explained. He emphasized that he would approach his new venture with the same commitment, desire to win, and dedication to excellence, but with a greater sense of tranquility.
As a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi’s reputation as one of the greatest football players in history is unquestionable. His recent triumph in leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in December 2022 further solidified his legendary status. The football world eagerly awaited Messi’s decision following PSG’s confirmation of his departure, and the news of his move to Inter Miami generated immense excitement and speculation.
Inter Miami, a club co-owned by former England international David Beckham and established in 2018, recently parted ways with coach Phil Neville as the team struggled at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Javier Morales, an Argentine, has taken over as interim coach.
While the allure of a Barcelona reunion and the potential riches in Saudi Arabia were tempting, Messi ultimately chose MLS as his next adventure. The vibrant and sun-soaked city of Miami, where he has enjoyed vacations in the past, became the chosen destination for this new chapter in his football career.
Reports suggest that key MLS sponsors, including sportswear brand Adidas and Apple TV, which holds the domestic broadcasting rights, may be playing a role in contributing to Messi’s deal, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his move to Inter Miami. Get all the updates from the world of football only on Nextbet Sports.
