Argentinian soccer legend Lionel Messi will join US side Inter Miami following his departure from French champions Paris Saint-Germain. The star will try to cross the Atlantic for several reasons which he mentioned on Wednesday.
Messi has rejected a more lucrative offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal amid speculation over his future away from the French capital.
A move to Saudi Arabia could have seen the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner reignite his rivalry with former Real Madrid strikers Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
However, Messi would like to try crossing the Atlantic for several reasons, including his lifestyle.
“I made the decision to go to Miami. I still haven’t locked it in one hundred percent. I’m missing some things but we decided to continue on the path. Since the Barcelona thing didn’t work, I wanted to leave Europe, get out of the spotlight and think more about my family,” Messi said on Wednesday in a joint interview with Spanish media Mundo Deportivo and Sport.
Messi has therefore confirmed that his next destination will almost certainly be David Beckham’s Miami side, with the club themselves tweeting a video teasing the move minutes after the breaking news.
The 2022 World Cup winner Lionel Messi will join US club Inter Miami after his dream of a return to Barcelona failed.
On Monday, June 5, Jorge Messi, the player’s representative, informed club president Joan Laporta of La Pulga’s decision to join Inter Miami, despite having received a proposal from Barça, given the desire of the FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi to wear the blaugrana again, the Spanish club announced yesterday in a short press release.
“President Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years. Both Joan Laporta and Jorge Messi also agreed to work together to promote a proper tribute from Barça fans to honor a footballer who has been, is, and always will be beloved by Barça,” the statement read.
The move marks the first time Messi, 35, will play outside of Europe since he began his youth career in the late 1990s at Argentinian clubs Grandoli and Newell’s Old Boys.