Lionel Messi headed to Inter Miami as soccer legend makes MLS move

Lionel Messi is taking his talents to South Beach. 

The legendary footballer is joining MLS club Inter Miami after spending two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain in France.

The 35-year-old confirmed the move in interviews with Mundo Deportivo and Sport Wednesday afternoon after the news broke Wednesday morning.

Inter Miami then posted a Messi teaser video on Twitter.

The deal with Inter Miami reportedly includes compensation from both Adidas, which makes MLS jerseys, and Apple, which launched MLS Season Pass this season.

Messi, who helped lead PSG to Ligue 1 titles in both seasons there, was also being courted by Barcelona and Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

Had Messi gone with Al-Hilal, it would have had him playing in a league that includes superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. 

La Liga’s Financial Fair Play limitations made any return to Barcelona a tall task for Messi.

“We are pleased that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami and Major League Soccer this summer,” MLS said in a statement. “Although work remains to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our League.”

His father, Jorge Messi, said earlier this week that “Messi would love to return” to Barcelona.

Messi, who won his first World Cup with Argentina in December, holds the club’s record in goals (672) and over his 17 years there, he helped them win 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, and seven Spanish Cups.

Messi’s first time suiting up for the MLS club could be on July 21 when Inter Miami hosts Mexican side Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium for a Leagues Cup match, according to The Athletic. 

The move to the United States will mark the first time that Messi has played outside of Europe during his career.

Messi isn’t free of his contract with PSG until June 30, but the club had already acknowledged that this past campaign would be his final one with them. 

Inter Miami has long been linked to Messi and has been hoping to bring him aboard since the team’s inception in 2018.

The forward appeared in a congratulatory video on social media when Miami was welcomed into the MLS, and club owner David Beckham visited the PSG’s training facility in April and appeared in a photo with Messi. 

Miami is currently 5-11 and in last place in the Eastern Conference.

The team is currently being managed by interim coach Javier Morales after they fired Phil Neville last week. 

But Messi’s arrival could spell a massive change in the club’s fortune – and add to the impressive sports run the South Florida region has seen this year.