Lionel Messi is turning his back on Europe and will join Beckham's club Inter Miami CF in the North American Major League Soccer.
Paris/Miami – Until recently, rumours persisted as to whether seven-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi would return to FC Barcelona, but the Argentinian has decided against it. As Messi announced on Wednesday evening in an interview with the Spanish sports newspapers El Mundo Deportivo and Sport, he will move to the United States. "The decision has been made," said the 35-year-old: "I will not return to Barcelona, I will go to Inter Miami."
| Lionel Messi | |
| Date of birth: | June 24, 1987 (age 35) in Rosario, Argentina |
| Career of the association: | FC Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain |
| Performance data season 2022/23: | 41 games, 21 goals, 20 assists |
| Greatest success: | . 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina |
Messi rejects offer from Saudi Arabia
It has long been known that Lionel Messi will leave his current club Paris Saint Germain after the season. However, the future of the 35-year-old has repeatedly given rise to rumours. Thus, several media outlets reported on the possibility that he could follow a path similar to Cristiano Ronaldo. Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal Riyadh allegedly offered an annual salary of between €300 million and €500 million.
In addition, the supporters of FC Barcelona dreamed, sometimes more, sometimes less hopefully, of a return of "their" Messi. Wrongly, as it now turns out, the exceptional footballer is drawn to North America. In the MLS, he will play for Inter Miami – the club is headed by former world star David Beckham as president. "It's not 100 percent clear yet, we still have a few things to sort out," Messi said, "but we've chosen this path," said Messi himself.
Lionel Messi is about to sign for Beckham's club Inter Miami. © IMAGO / ABACAPRESS and IMAGO / USA TODAY Network
Adidas and Apple to finance Messi
However, the salary of around 200 million euros for four years, which is likely to run into record sums, is not to be paid by Inter Miami and the MLS alone. Corporate deals with the sporting goods manufacturer adidas, which has always sponsored Messi, and the US technology giant Apple are said to have made Messi's move to Florida palatable.
Part of the deal with adidas is to be a profit share on sports and fan merchandise sold, so the Argentinian will further expand his existing contract with the German company. Apple has an existing streaming deal with the MLS and is likely to participate in the deal in the form of the just-announced four-part Messi documentary. (sch)