Lionel Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, was available after his contract expired with PSG. Barcelona showed interest in bringing him back to the Nou Camp, but no offer was made. Inter Miami currently sits at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi has joined Inter Miami, David Beckham’s MLS team, on a free transfer.
The MLS club announced the signing and will hold a presentation on Sunday.
Messi, the former Barcelona forward, became available after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended.
Barcelona were interested in bringing Messi back to the Nou Camp, but an offer did not materialise due to LaLiga’s financial fair play rules.
Messi joins Inter Miami, an MLS team founded in 2018, over other interested clubs like those from Saudi Arabia.
“I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” said Messi.
“This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.”
Lionel Messi will make his debut for Inter Miami CF on July 21 in a match against Cruz Azul for the Leagues Cup. The Leagues Cup is a tournament that involves MLS and LIGA MX teams, and will take place from July 21 to August 19. The top three clubs from the tournament will qualify for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
nter Miami co-owner Beckham said the move was “a dream come true”.
“Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city,” he said. “Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much.
“Today that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s calibre is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community.
“The next phase of our adventure starts here, and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the pitch.”
Lionel Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, is joining a team at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
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