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In a surprising move, Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine forward, has announced his decision to join Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer team.
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| Image Courtesy: Wikimedia |
This comes after spending the past two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain and bidding farewell to the club in his final game on Saturday. Having previously played for Barcelona for the majority of his career, Messi has opted for a new chapter in the United States over a potential reunion with his former club or a high-profile move to Saudi Arabia. MLS and Inter Miami have confirmed the news on social media, although some final details are yet to be finalized to formalize the agreement.
"I've made the decision to go to Miami. Although the deal may not be 100 percent sealed or there might be some loose ends, we have chosen to continue our journey there," Messi shared with Spanish newspapers Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo.
"After winning the World Cup and being unable to return to Barca, it's time for me to experience football in a different way and enjoy my day-to-day life more in MLS. I will approach it with the same responsibility, desire to win, and commitment to excellence, but with a greater sense of tranquility."
Lionel Messi, a distinguished seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, is on the brink of securing another individual accolade after leading Argentina to World Cup triumph in Qatar in December 2022.
The departure of the playmaker, widely regarded as the greatest player in football history, had the football world anxiously anticipating his next move following PSG's confirmation this week.
Despite the allure of a potential return to Barcelona and the prospects of immense wealth in Saudi Arabia, Messi opted to join Major League Soccer (MLS), selecting the sun-soaked city of Miami, where he has previously enjoyed vacations.
In a statement, Messi clarified, "If money was the sole determining factor, I would have chosen Saudi Arabia or another destination. While the financial aspects were appealing, my decision was guided by other considerations."
Inter Miami was established in 2018 by former English player David Beckham.
Messi expressed his deep longing to return to Barcelona, but the financial complexities that hindered the extension of his contract in 2021 led to concerns about a potential recurrence.
"I had a genuine desire to come back, and I was eagerly anticipating it," Messi revealed.
"However, considering the circumstances I had experienced, and the departure I had gone through... I didn't want to endure a similar situation and wait to see how things would unfold.
"I didn't want my future to be dependent on others. I wanted to take control of my decisions, for myself and my family.
"Even though I heard they said the league had agreed to everything, it was all set for my return... there were still many other unresolved matters.
"I heard about the need to sell players or reduce the salaries of other teammates, and honestly, I didn't want to be part of that or be held responsible for it."
Messi expressed his intention to reside in Barcelona again in the future and contribute to his former club in some capacity.
"I'm not sure when or how, but hopefully, one day I can come back and make a meaningful contribution to the club," he stated.
Before that, however, Messi aims to invigorate the growth of soccer in the United States with his arrival, coinciding with the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
"We eagerly anticipate the addition of one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our league," Major League Soccer stated in a press release.
