After months of reflection, Lionel Messi has finally chosen his new club. The former PSG player will continue his career far away from Europe, as he joins Inter Miami. Messi confirmed this decision in an interview with the Spanish press.
The Long-Awaited Decision
The future of Argentine international Lionel Messi has been the subject of much debate and speculation for months. Initially, it was anticipated that he would extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, where his second season had started off impressively. However, as time went on, the situation took a different turn. The Parisian club was unwilling to meet Messi’s salary demands, and the player himself was eager to learn more about the team’s project and future coach.
Eventually, the two parties decided to part ways. As a free agent, Messi had the opportunity to engage in serious discussions with various suitors. David Beckham’s Inter Miami offered him a three-year contract worth €40 million per year. Al-Hilal also presented an enticing offer, with a reported contract worth €1.2 billion. Financially robust, both clubs posed a threat to FC Barcelona.
The American Dream
At nearly 36 years old, Lionel Messi is preparing to join Major League Soccer in pursuit of the American dream. His destination is Florida, specifically Inter Miami, as reported by RMC Sport. While nothing has been officially signed, Messi has reached a preliminary agreement with David Beckham’s franchise.
Inter Miami recently parted ways with their coach, Englishman Phil Neville, and their squad includes notable players such as former Tottenham defender DeAndre Yedlin and French forward Corentin Jean, who has previously played for Troyes, Toulouse, and Lens.
Earning Approximately $50 Million Per Year
In the United States, Messi is expected to earn around $50 million per year. While the offer from Saudi Arabia was potentially more lucrative, with the Gulf country recently recruiting Karim Benzema while awaiting N’Golo Kanté, Messi ultimately chose to join Al-Hilal. The Saudi club’s offer could have seen him earn up to €500 million. FC Barcelona also hoped to convince Messi to return, although their arguments were not the same.
“Leo wants to return to Barça, and I would like him to come back. It’s an option, but we still have to discuss many things,” said Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, after meeting with the president of the Catalan club, Joan Laporta. Messi had left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 to join PSG.
Messi Doesn’t Return Home
Despite their financial struggles, Barcelona held high hopes of bringing the Argentine legend back to the club. Xavi made efforts to regularly engage with Messi, and President Joan Laporta met with the player’s father and agent, while also seeking approval for the financing plan from La Liga. However, the perseverance of the Blaugrana did not yield results. Lionel Messi, who had done everything possible to sign with Barcelona, ultimately chose to join Inter Miami.
“I’m not going back to Barça; I’m going to Inter Miami. I have made the decision to go to Miami. It’s not 100% finalized yet, but we have decided to continue there! After winning the World Cup and the impossibility of returning to Barcelona, I want to experience football in a different way,” Messi stated in an interview with Mundo Deportivo. Born in 1987, the star is now set to discover a new league and a different style of football after spending years in Europe. The MLS franchise has made a huge impact!
Messi to Inter Miami – Beckham Deal as the Benchmark?
One key aspect to consider is that MLS can offer Messi a percentage of a league franchise, similar to the deal that brought David Beckham to America and eventually led to the creation of Inter Miami CF. Such a deal could be incredibly lucrative, considering the significant increase in the value of MLS franchises in recent years. According to Forbes Magazine, three MLS clubs are now among the 20 most valuable soccer clubs, with LAFC ranked 17th with a valuation of $1 billion. The new MLS team in San Diego, set to join the league in 2025, paid a $500 million expansion fee.
In other words, a potential ownership stake in a future MLS team could be worth hundreds of millions for the Messi family. This kind of arrangement was also a significant part of the deal that brought David Beckham to America in 2007. Beckham received an option to purchase an MLS license for just $25 million. Although Beckham is only a minority owner, the deal was still significant, as Inter Miami is now valued at $585 million and is likely to see a substantial increase in valuation once the stadium deal in Miami is finalized.
With the pace of expansion slowing down and MLS franchises steadily increasing in value since Beckham’s arrival, any potential Messi deal would have to be structured differently than Beckham’s, which included an option for a future franchise. Furthermore, with the league set to have 30 teams once San Diego joins in 2025, expansion opportunities may become limited for some time. As a result, Messi’s option would likely be converted into a stake in an existing team, most likely Inter Miami CF itself.
Phil Neville Fired by Inter Miami – Clearing the Path for Tata Martino?
On the field, recent decisions made by Inter Miami suggest that the club is actively working towards bringing Messi to Florida. The club recently fired head coach Phil Neville. While results under Neville were far from impressive, his close friendship with Beckham had offered him some protection. However, with Inter Miami closing in on the signing of Messi, it appears that their friendship was not enough to retain Neville’s position.
The dismissal of Neville could be seen as a strategic move by Inter Miami to pave the way for a potential reunion between Messi and former Barcelona coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino. Martino is currently the head coach of the Mexican national team and has a successful history with Messi during their time together at Barcelona. His appointment could serve as a strong motivating factor for Messi to join Inter Miami.
In conclusion, Lionel Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami is a significant milestone in his career. It marks his departure from Europe and his entry into Major League Soccer, bringing excitement and attention to the American soccer landscape. The financial aspects of the deal, the allure of the American dream, and the potential ownership stake in a league franchise all played a role in Messi’s choice. Now, it’s a matter of time to see how Messi will fare in his new environment and whether this move will prove to be a game-changer for both him and Inter Miami.
The question remains: Do you think Messi made the right decision? Will his move to Inter Miami be a successful venture, or will he regret not returning to Barcelona? The world will be watching as Messi begins his journey in the MLS, and only time will reveal the true outcome of this momentous transfer.
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