Lionel Messi warms up ahead of the French league football match between Paris Saint Germin and Clermont Foot at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, June 3, 2023. /CFP
It was a typical Lionel Messi manoeuver. Just when almost everyone thought the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner would either make a sentimental return to Spanish giants Barcelona or seal a lucrative deal with Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Hilal, he chose to take the road less traveled.
In an unexpected plot twist, Messi announced on late Wednesday that he is set to join the Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami. This will be first time that he has played outside Europe.
"I made the decision that I am going to Miami. I still haven't closed it one hundred percent. I'm missing some things but we decided to continue my journey there," said the Argentina legend.
MLS later added, "We are pleased that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami and Major League Soccer this summer. 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."
Barcelona also responded to Messi's move by releasing a statement, saying "[Barcelona president Joan] Laporta understood and respected Messi's decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years."
A mural depicting Lionel Messi is seen in Miami, U.S., June 7, 2023. /CFP
Why not Barcelona?
Earlier this week, after ending his two tumultuous seasons with French champions Paris St-Germain, Messi's father and agent, Jorge Messi said his son "would love to return to Barcelona." However, despite Messi's clear preference, Barca's current financial struggles and Financial Fair Play limitations all but ruled out the much-anticipated reunion.
Messi explained his decision to spurn both Barcelona and Al Hilal in an interview with Spanish media outlets Mundo Deportivo later in the day.
"If the Barcelona thing didn't work out, I wanted to leave Europe, get out of the spotlight and think more about my family," he said. "I really wanted, I was very excited to be able to return [to Barcelona], but after having experienced what I experienced and the exit I had, I did not want to be in the same situation again – waiting to see what was going to happen.
"I heard that they had to sell players or lower players' salaries and the truth is that I didn't want to go through that, nor take charge of obtaining something that had to do with all that... If it had been a matter of money I would have gone to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere. It seemed like a lot of money to me and the truth is that my decision was for the other side and not for money."
Lionel Messi cries at the start of his farewell press conference at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, August 8, 2021. /CFP
Why Inter Maimi?
Inter Maimi, which are part-owned by English superstar David Beckham, currently sit bottom of MLS's Eastern Conference and sacked their head coach Phil Neville last week after four straight defeats. The club play at a modest 18,000-capacity stadium and are way less famous than established MLS behemoth such as Los Angeles FC and Atlanta United.
But Messi is a regular visitor to Maimi and owns a property in the city. The climate, environment and quality education there also appeal to the World Cup winner.
And according to The Athletic, MLS and Apple has offered Messi a share of the revenue generated by new subscribers to MLS Season Pass, the league's streaming package on Apple TV+.
Both sides view Messi's potential involvement in Major League Soccer as a boon; Apple and MLS signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion agreement this spring. On Tuesday, Apple revealed that a four-part docuseries chronicling Messi's five World Cup appearances would stream on Apple TV+.
There have also been suggestions that Messi could be offered a chance to own an MLS team when he hangs up his boots.