In a stunning move, Lionel Messi, the legendary footballer, has completed his transfer to David Beckham’s MLS franchise, Inter Miami, on a free transfer. The official announcement was made by the MLS club on Saturday evening, with a grand presentation scheduled for Sunday.
After his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended, the former Barcelona forward became available for other clubs. While there was interest from Barcelona to bring Messi back to the Nou Camp, their offer couldn’t materialize due to LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations.
Several opportunities came knocking, including interest from Saudi Arabia, where Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante currently play. However, Messi made the decision to join Inter Miami, a relatively new MLS team that was founded in 2020, two years prior to their MLS debut.
Expressing his excitement, Messi stated, “I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States. 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.”
Messi’s debut for Inter Miami CF is set for July 21, when they face off against LIGA MX side Cruz Azul in the inaugural match of the Leagues Cup. This tournament will see MLS and LIGA MX pause their respective league seasons from July 21 to August 19 to determine the three clubs that will qualify for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Co-owner David Beckham expressed his elation, calling the move “a dream come true.” He stated, “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. 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.”
This remarkable transfer sees Messi joining a team currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. However, his arrival is expected to inject new energy and skill into the team, as Inter Miami aims to climb up the ranks and make a name for themselves in the MLS.