Argentina's legendary footballer Lionel Messi is set to join Inter Miami, an American team, following his departure from French champions Paris St-Germain.
The 35-year-old superstar had a more
lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, but due to Financial Fair
Play (FFP) restrictions, a return to his beloved Barcelona was impossible.
In an interview with newspapers Diario Sport
and MundoDeportivo, Messi revealed his decision to head to Miami, stating,
"I decided to leave Europe." He acknowledged that he had received
offers from another European team, but he didn't consider them as his sole
focus in Europe was to rejoin
Barcelona. However, after winning the World
Cup and being unable to return to his former club, he felt it was time to
experience football in a different way and enjoy a more relaxed daily life in
Major League Soccer (MLS).
Barcelona's inability to retain Messi in
2021, leading to his tearful departure and subsequent move to PSG, played a
significant role in his decision-making process. Concerned about facing a
similar situation again,
Messi explained, "I really wanted, I was
very excited to be able to return [to Barcelona], but after having experienced
what I experienced and the exit I had, I did not want to be in the same
situation again - waiting to see what was going to happen."
Barcelona confirmed that Messi chose the
Miami move over their offer, and President Joan Laporta respected his decision
to compete in a league with fewer demands and less scrutiny. The Miami deal
involves collaborations with renowned brands like Adidas and Apple.
This transfer marks the first time Messi will
play outside of Europe. With a Barcelona return out of reach, he had to choose
between Inter Miami and Al-Hilal. Although a move to Saudi Arabia seemed
likely, with the opportunity to join Cristiano Ronaldo and KarimBenzema in the
league, Messi ultimately opted for Inter Miami in the MLS. Factors such as
lifestyle, non-football-related endorsement deals, and the fact that he already
owns a house in Miami played a role in his decision.
During his time at PSG, Messi helped the team
secure two Ligue 1 titles but fell short in the Champions League, exiting in
the round of 16. Despite this, he contributed significantly to the club,
scoring 32 goals in 75 games, including 16 goals and 16 assists in his final
Ligue 1 season.
As his two-year contract with PSG concludes,
both parties agreed to part ways. In May, Messi received a two-week suspension
for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. While his legacy is firmly
established from his tenure at Barcelona, where he scored a record-breaking 672
goals and won numerous domestic and international titles, his World Cup victory
with Argentina in December further cemented his status as one of the greatest
footballers of all time.
In reflecting on his potential return to
Barcelona, Messi disclosed that he had minimal discussions with his close
friend Xavi, the club's manager, and President Laporta. The talks were
primarily centered around the team's interest in his return and the potential
benefits. However, no formal contract proposal was made or negotiated, leaving
Messi uncertain about the feasibility of the reunion. Money wasn't the deciding
factor for him, stating, "If it had been a matter of money, I would have
gone to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere."
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