Lionel Messi Joins Inter Miami in MLS
Lionel Messi has pulled off another astonishing feat as he sets his sights on Major League Soccer (MLS) and a new chapter with Inter Miami.
Following months, and even years, of speculation, Messi has finally disclosed his choice to join a Miami franchise guided by none other than David Beckham, a renowned figure in global soccer. Despite being in existence for some time, the team has yet to impact the field significantly.
Shortly after Jorge Mas, one of the owners of Inter Miami tweeted a photo of Lionel Messi’s jersey silhouette, the news of Messi’s move was unveiled. The Argentine superstar shared his decision in interviews with Spanish news outlets Mundo Deportivo and Sport.
While many believed Messi would opt to play for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia or make a return to Barcelona, he surprised everyone by choosing MLS. In Wednesday’s interviews, Messi explained that he still needs to finalize some details but has committed to continuing his football journey in Miami. He expressed that after winning the World Cup and being unable to return to Barcelona, he felt it was his turn to experience football in a new way by joining the United States League.
Messi’s upcoming matches are expected to be exhibition games, with Argentina against Australia on June 15 in Beijing and Indonesia in Jakarta four days later. Subsequently, he will debut for Inter Miami, likely in July.
Messi’s Accomplishments
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner departs Paris Saint-Germain after a two-year stint. At 35, Messi has nothing left to prove in the game and has already filled a significant void on his résumé by leading Argentina to a World Cup title in December 2022.
With over 800 goals for club and country, Messi solidifies his status as one of the greatest scorers in the sport’s history. In his more than 17 years representing Argentina, he has netted 102 goals against 38 national team opponents, including 16 goals on U.S. soil. Messi also netted two goals in the thrilling World Cup final against France last year in a remarkable display. After an exhilarating 3-3 draw, Argentina emerged victorious in penalty kicks.
Joining a struggling Inter Miami team currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and recently parting ways with coach Phil Neville, Messi’s decision to play in the U.S. has the potential to be a monumental boost for American soccer on the professional stage. While several renowned players such as Pele, Thierry Henry, and David Beckham himself have come to the U.S. toward the end of their careers, securing a player of Messi’s caliber, who is still near the pinnacle of his game and fresh from a World Cup victory, is an enormous coup.
On MLS and Inter Miami Securing A Historic Deal
Bringing Messi to Miami required months of negotiations involving MLS, Inter Miami ownership, Adidas, and even Apple, which played a part in a creative pitch. As a broadcast partner of MLS, Apple announced its plan to showcase a four-part documentary series featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Lionel Messi. The series aims to provide an intimate and unprecedented look at his incredible career with the Argentina national football team, including his quest for a legacy-defining World Cup victory.
Inter Miami, which took six years from inception to its first match, has had a challenging start in its first four seasons. Despite making the playoffs in two of its first three seasons, the team has yet to finish a season with a winning record or positive goal differential. However, hints of Miami’s involvement in the Messi sweepstakes have persisted for months. Messi’s meeting with Inter Miami co-owner Beckham, publicized to confirm ongoing negotiations, further fueled speculations. Additionally, Messi and his family own several luxury properties in South Florida, and the MLS club hinted at something significant on the horizon by offering fans season-ticket packages for the second half of the season.
Messi’s global appeal is unquestionable, and his presence in Miami can transform Inter Miami’s fortunes instantly. As the biggest name in MLS, his involvement will generate significant attention and make everything the team does newsworthy.
This decision concludes a captivating saga for Messi. While Barcelona played a crucial role in making him a superstar, the financial issues that led to his departure two years ago still plague the team. Messi stated that he didn’t want to go through the ordeal of Barcelona having to sell players or reduce salaries.
While Saudi Arabia presented no financial obstacles, Messi’s unauthorized trip to the kingdom resulted in a suspension from PSG, and he faced jeers from some fans towards the end of his tenure with the French club. Though his departure from PSG was widely anticipated, only some expected him to choose Miami. This move by the superstar could be even more surprising than LeBron James’ arrival in Miami to join the Heat 13 years ago.
