Lionel Messi Chooses Inter Miami Over Barcelona: Unveiling the Surprising Move of the World Cup Winner
- Lionel Messi Chooses Inter Miami: Barca’s Missed Homecoming Deal for World Cup Winner
- Messi will not sign for Barcelona this year
In a stunning turn of events, Lionel Messi has reportedly made the decision to join Inter Miami, leaving Barcelona empty-handed in their pursuit of bringing back their beloved club legend. As the expiration date of his Paris Saint-Germain contract draws near, the speculation surrounding Messi’s next move has reached a fever pitch. Let’s dive into the details of his move to Inter Miami and the factors that led to this surprising outcome.
Unveiling the Decision:
After confirming his departure from PSG, Messi will become a free agent on June 30. Despite Barcelona’s public efforts to secure his return to Camp Nou, Guillem Balague reveals that the Argentine superstar will embark on the next chapter of his career in America, signing for MLS club Inter Miami.
Commercial Partnerships Make it Happen:
The race to sign Messi was won by Inter Miami, aided by their commercial partners Apple and adidas. Reports from The Athletic suggest that Messi will receive a share of revenue from Apple TV+’s MLS Season Pass, while adidas has offered a profit-sharing agreement to further strengthen their long-standing relationship.
Barcelona’s Financial Constraints:
Although Messi’s father expressed his son’s desire for a Barcelona reunion, the club’s financial challenges proved insurmountable. With the departure of key players like Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Barcelona must significantly reduce their wage bill before registering any new signings. As a result, the dream homecoming deal for Messi was rendered impossible.
Delayed Interest from Al-Hilal:
Amidst the negotiations, Al-Hilal, a Saudi Arabian club, had expressed strong interest in signing Messi. However, sports outfit GOAL.com reported that the forward requested to postpone any potential move to the Middle East to assess his options following his departure from PSG. Al-Hilal will have to wait until at least 2024 to revive their pursuit of the Argentine maestro.
Looking Ahead for Messi:
Excitement surrounds the prospect of Messi making his Inter Miami debut as early as July 21, potentially facing Mexican side Cruz Azul in a Leagues Cup clash. While Javier Morales currently leads the squad on an interim basis, Tata Martino, one of Messi’s former managers at Barcelona and Argentina, is considered the frontrunner to succeed Phil Neville, who was recently relieved of his duties as head coach.
With Barcelona unable to secure Messi’s return, the football world is abuzz with news of his decision to join Inter Miami. Commercial partnerships played a pivotal role in sealing the deal, as Messi embarks on a new chapter in his illustrious career. As fans eagerly anticipate his debut in the MLS, the focus now shifts to Inter Miami and their quest for success under the potential guidance of Tata Martino.