It’s official. One of the world’s best sporting icons, Leo Messi, will be moving to America’s Major League Soccer (MLS) and join Inter Miami in a record move.
The 35-year-old announced to sports fans that he would not be going to his childhood club, Barcelona. Even when the Catalan giants tried every playbook to bring back their star after two rather uneventful seasons in PSG.
“(I decided) to leave Europe…
“After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barca, it’s time to go to MLS to live football in a different way and enjoy my day to day life more. Obviously with the same responsibility and desire to win, and to do things well, but with more calm.”
So, everyone was widely expecting that Messi would move to Saudi Arabia. And joined his long-term competition, Ronaldo, and played for Al-Hilal. But the World Cup-winning Messi reportedly turned down a $1.5 Billion offer. Also, it has not gone down too well with the Saudis as per reports.
“If it had been a question of money, I would have gone to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere,” said Messi. “It seemed a lot of money and the truth is that my decision went another way and not for money.”
Instead, Messi chose for MLS side Inter Miami. David Beckham and investors Jorge Mas and Jose Mas co-own the team. The team sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, managing to gain just 15 points from 16 games.
Messi’s decision to join MLS and Inter Miami could be in part thanks to another Argentinian who played there, Gonzalo Higuain. The 7-time Ballon d’Or winner’s move to Miami has been made successful in part due to Adidas.
Insiders reveal that while Al Hilal was offering a tempting amount of money, the family decided against taking the money because of the closed Saudi society’s nature.
It is just a matter of time before we see the greatest and most accomplished footballer the world has ever seen don the all-pink jersey of Inter Miami and do what he does best- score some amazing goals!