Lionel Messi Makes Historic Move: Joins Inter Miami. 35-year-old football legend Lionel Messi has opted to join American club Inter Miami as his next destination following his departure from French champions Paris St-Germain. Despite receiving a more financially enticing offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions made Messi’s return to Barcelona impossible.
Comments Of Messi On His Miami Transfer
In interviews with Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo newspapers, Lionel Messi announced that he had decided to join Miami. He actively chose to leave Europe and acknowledged receiving offers from another European team. However, he disregarded those offers since his primary intention in Europe was solely to join Barcelona.
Messi believed that after winning the World Cup, he couldn’t go to Barca. So, it was time for him to embrace a different football experience and enjoy a more relaxed daily life in the MLS. He emphasized his responsibility and desire to win while eagerly anticipating approaching his career with tranquility.
The FFP limitations in La Liga made it impossible to bring the ex-Barcelona forward back, despite his desire for a return. Barcelona couldn’t keep Messi in 2021, leading to a tearful farewell at Nou Camp before he signed with PSG.
After hearing that the club may need to sell players or cut salaries, he decided he didn’t want to go through something like that or take on those responsibilities.
Subsequently, Barcelona announced that Messi decided to move to Miami instead of accepting the club’s offer. The statement expressed President Joan Laporta’s understanding and respect for Messi’s decision to seek a league with lower pressure and demands. This would provide him an opportunity to distance himself from the intense spotlight he had endured in recent years.
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Lionel Messi Embarks on New Chapter: Conquering the American Dream
After learning he couldn’t return to Barcelona, Messi had to choose between joining Inter Miami or Al-Hilal. He seemed more interested in moving to Saudi Arabia where he’d play with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in a league that offered an exceptional financial package.
However, Messi ultimately chose to sign with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). Factors influencing his decision included the appealing lifestyle offered by Miami and lucrative endorsement deals beyond football.
It is worth noting that Messi already owns a house in Miami, which he presently rents out.
Throughout his time at the club, he scored 32 goals in 75 games. In the most recent season, he had an impressive record of 16 goals and 16 assists in Ligue 1. Messi’s two-year contract is set to end this summer, and both parties agreed to part ways after the forward received a two-week suspension in May for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
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His legacy comes from his successful time at Barcelona and winning the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in December 2022. In 2021, Messi left Barcelona after 21 years due to financial difficulties within the organization.
Notably, Messi holds the illustrious record of being Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer, amassing an impressive total of 672 goals. Furthermore, he proudly boasts an impressive collection of 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League victories, and seven Spanish Cups among his accolades with the Catalan club.
Messi Didn’t Choose Money
Messi said he talked with his friend Xavi, the current Barcelona manager, about coming back to the club. But he didn’t talk much with President Joan Laporta – only once or twice at most.
According to Messi, they were excited as they analyzed whether Xavi truly wanted to return and evaluated the benefits for both the team and Xavi himself.
In terms of the contract, Messi clarified that they never delved into the subject. While there was mention of a proposal, it never materialized into a formal, written, or signed offer due to lingering uncertainty about its feasibility.
Messi emphasized that they never engaged in in-depth discussions regarding financial aspects. He expressed that if money had been the sole decisive factor, he would have contemplated a move to Saudi Arabia or any other destination.
Other Transfer News
Liverpool has signed midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton in a £35m deal, giving him a five-year contract. The transfer fee could rise to £55m for the talented Argentina playmaker. Mac Allister played an important role in Brighton’s impressive Premier League campaign. They finished sixth and qualified for European competition for the first time ever.
Having scored 20 goals in 112 games for the Seagulls, the 24-year-old showed his skills and made significant contributions to the team’s success. He also played a key role in Argentina winning the 2022 World Cup.
