Lionel Messi To Join Inter Miami FC
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MIAMI, Florida – The race to sign the biggest free agent of this year’s summer window has come to a close with Lionel Messi deciding to sign with Major League Soccer (MLS) team Inter Miami. The news was first reported by Argentinian journalist Hernan Castillo Tuesday evening before being confirmed by multiple sources the following day.
In order to seal this monumental deal, the American football club had to curate a creative enough pitch to guarantee Messi’s signing. His contract is reported to include a share of revenues with Apple via MLS Season Pass subscribers on Apple TV+, as well as a profit-sharing agreement with Adidas. Not only is the player being paired with two of the biggest partners of the MLS, but Messi was also offered partial ownership of the club itself in the future, similar to what David Beckham was offered back in 2007 when he signed for the Los Angeles Galaxy, another club playing in the MLS.
The Florida club was not the only group interested in the football superstar. For months, two other major competitors were Saudi Arabian Al Hilal and La Liga giant FC Barcelona. The Saudi League was ready to prepare what could have been the biggest sporting contract in history with €1.1B for a two-year deal. However, with the presentation of Inter Miami’s unique contract alongside ongoing negotiations with La Liga and Barcelona, Messi declined Al Hilal’s offer.
On the other end of the battle, Barcelona has made it abundantly clear that a return to the Argentinian’s boyhood club was a possible outcome, not only that the organization wanted to make happen, but also that Messi himself desired.
“I had offers from another European team, but I didn’t even consider it because my idea in Europe was only to return to Barcelona,” Messi stated in an interview with Sport and Mundo Deportivo.
However, Barcelona has been plagued with major financial turmoil due to multiple failed transfers, sudden changes to La Liga’s financing policies, and a major pandemic that shut down not only the footballing industry but the world as a whole. This major hurdle was what prompted Messi to depart the club in the first place two years ago, and despite efforts to initiate a feasibility plan in order to gain the league’s approval, the financial cloud which looms over Camp Nou is what ultimately barred Messi away from joining the Catalan giants once more.
"I was dreaming of Barça return, yes, but I was never sure about that happening because I remember very well the story of August 2021, two years ago. I didn't want to tell my kids, ‘We go back to Barcelona!’ And then, nothing. I was quiet,” said Messi.
Messi joined Ligue 1 club Paris Saint Germain in 2021 when financial conflicts with La Liga caused his contract with Barcelona to fall through after nearly two decades of playing under their name. This departure marked the end of a historic era in Messi’s career, and this recent move to South Beach Florida will mark the beginning of a new chapter of its own. The 35-year-old Argentinian will officially leave the French club at the end of the month with his two-year contract expiring at that time.
In an official statement, Barcelona gave their good wishes to the club legend, stating understanding and respect for Messi’s decisions and hopes of curating a proper goodbye.
“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.”
