Lionel Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, was available after allowing his contract to run down with French champions PSG; Barcelona was interested in bringing Messi back to the Nou Camp, but an offer did not materialize; Inter Miami bottom of MLS’ Easten Conference
Lionel Messi has completed his move to David Beckham’s MLS franchise Inter Miami on a free transfer. The MLS club officially announced the signing on Saturday evening ahead of a presentation to be held on Sunday.
Former Barcelona forward Messi was available after allowing his contract to run down with French champions Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona was interested in bringing Messi back to the Nou Camp, but an offer did not materialize due to La Liga’s financial fair play rules.
There was also interest from Saudi Arabia, where Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante now play, but Messi chose to join Inter Miami, who only became an MLS team in 2020 having been founded two years earlier. “I am very excited to start the next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” said Messi.
“This is a great opportunity and we will continue to build this beautiful project together. The purpose is to work together to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves, and in our new home I can’t wait to help.”
Messi will make his first Inter appearance on 21 July when he will face LIGA MX club Cruz Azul in the opening match of the League’s Cup, a new tournament that will kick off the MLS and LIGA MX respective league seasons on 21 July. He will play for Miami CF. There will be a pause until 19 August to determine the three clubs that will qualify for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Inter Miami co-owner Beckham said the move was a “dream come true”.
“Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said my dream was to bring the best players in the world to this great city,” he said. “Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined the LA Galaxy to help grow American football and build a legacy in the sport we love for generations to come.”