Argentina legend, Lionel Messi has chosen to join American side Inter Miami following his departure from French champions Paris St-Germain (PSG).
Lionel Messi would be rejecting a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian team, Al-Hilal, for the Miami deal which includes collaborations with renowned brands such as Adidas and Apple.
The 35-year-old forward, who has won the world’s best player award seven times, is expected to secure the accolade again later this year following his success at the World Cup.
This move marks Messi’s first time playing outside of Europe. While he initially desired to stay in Europe for another season, the absence of satisfactory offers left him with a choice between Inter Miami and Al-Hilal.
Although speculation suggested a preference for a move to Saudi Arabia, where he would have joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the league, the allure of Major League Soccer and the opportunities beyond football, including lifestyle and brand partnerships, ultimately enticed Messi.
Having already owned a house in Miami, which he presently rents out, the decision to join the American club aligned with his existing ties to the city.
While Messi had expressed interest in returning to Barcelona this summer, the Financial Fair Play limitations imposed for the upcoming La Liga season rendered any ambitious plans unfeasible.
During his time at Paris St-Germain, the club won Ligue 1 in both seasons, but their exit from the Champions League in the last 16 diminished the overall success of his stint in France.
In his 75 appearances for the club, Messi scored 32 goals, concluding the most recent season with 16 goals and 16 assists in Ligue 1.
As his two-year contract with Paris St-Germain comes to an end, both parties mutually agreed to part ways. In May, Messi received a two-week suspension for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
While his legacy is predominantly associated with his time at Barcelona and his World Cup victory with Argentina in December, his departure from Barcelona in 2021 after 21 years at the club was influenced by the club’s financial difficulties.
Messi remains Barcelona’s all-time leading goal scorer with 672 goals and boasts an impressive record of 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League victories, and seven Spanish Cups.
KanyiDaily recalls that PSG manager, Christophe Galtier has announced that Lionel Messi will leave the club at the conclusion of the season.
