WHAT HAPPENED? Messi will become a free agent when his contract at Paris Saint-Germain officially expires on June 30, with the club having confirmed his departure before their final game of the Ligue 1 season. Speculation over the 35-year-old's next move has intensified since then, with Barcelona publicly stepping up their attempts to bring him back to Camp Nou. Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal have also been pushing hard to sign Messi in recent months, but Guillem Balague has now revealed that he will be embarking on the next stage of his career in America.


THE BIGGER PICTURE: Inter Miami have won the race to sign Messi with the help of commercial partners Apple and adidas. The Athletic have reported that the World Cup winner is set to a share of revenue from Apple TV+'s MLS Season Pass, while adidas have offered him a profit-sharing agreement to strengthen their long-term relationship.

AND WHAT'S MORE: Messi's father admitted earlier this week that his son favoured a return to Barcelona, but their precarious financial situation ultimately made a final deal impossible. Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have all left the club since the turn of the year, but Barca still need to reduce their wage bill significantly before they will be able able to register any new players. Al-Hilal, meanwhile, will have to wait until at least 2024 before reigniting their interest in Messi, with GOAL having revealed that the forward asked to delay a potential move to the Middle East while assessing his options after leaving PSG.

lhordspy:
What's he thinking? How can you reject barcelona and a £1billion dollar deal just to play in a league where mass shooting is on the high.

Inter-miami is even fighting relegation for fvck sake...

lhordspy:
What's he thinking? How can you reject barcelona and a £1billion dollar deal just to play in a league where mass shooting is on the high.

Inter-miami is even fighting relegation for fvck sake...

IkeIgboNiile:
lhordspy
What's he thinking? How can you reject barcelona and a £1billion dollar deal just to play in a league where mass shooting is on the high.

Inter-miami is even fighting relegation for fvck sake...

As for Barcelona, he's work there is done as a player. They need to rebuild for the future and him coming back will end that growth.

They don't have relegation in MLS. No matter how many matches you play you won't be relegated but the first 4 go for playoffs and final.

This deal makes better sense than the Saudi deals. Tye climate in saudi will be horrible for him and his family while he already owns a house in miami/regularly vacations there and his kids will be educated in the US. He'll get 35% stake in the club.

He won't want that competition between him and cronaldo to continue in the twilight of his career.

lhordspy:
What's he thinking? How can you reject barcelona and a £1billion dollar deal to saudi Arabia just to play in a league where mass shooting is on the high.

Inter-miami is even fighting relegation for fvck sake...

American soccer does not have promotion and relegation, making Major League Soccer one of the only first-division professional soccer leagues in the world where clubs don't have to fear the drop.

OJEEMAH:
Did you skip the part where he will share revenue with Apple TV and also share profit with Addidas?

This guy has just won himself and probably his generation one of the biggest deal in football history.

And the deal with Al Hilal is still on the card. He might join them in 2024.

Almiron:
Leo Messi actually turned down €1.2 BILLION to play in Saudi Arabia.

We told y'all pendu fantoys that the GOAT won't go to camel's league, no matter how much dem offer him. Saudi if for finished players, my fav still dey ball. He go ball till 40 atleast.

Inter Miami FC got a new fan, time to order their original jersey, thank God MLS is easy to watch, even DSTV dey show am.

Anywhere LEO go i go.

nairalanda1:

American clubs don't run a league system similar to the European league system.

MLS clubs don't get 'relegated'....they play for the playoffs, and whoever wins the playoffs is the league champion. There are also no promotions from a lower league as in the European system.

In that respect, the MLS is similar to the NBA , NFL and NHL. Teams are, roughly speaking, franchises of the organisation. Anyone with money can set up a franchise , provided there is space and provided the MLS considers the town. Inter Miami is an example.

lhordspy:
What's he thinking? How can you reject barcelona and a £1billion dollar deal to saudi Arabia just to play in a league where mass shooting is on the high.

Inter-miami is even fighting relegation for fvck sake...