Lionel Messi has announced that he would join Inter Miami CF in a deal that includes the opportunity for the Argentine to become a part-owner of the MLS club.
The 35-year-old Messi is closely subject to moves to both Barcelona and Saudi Arabia over the past several weeks, sparking a lot of discussion about his upcoming move.
He allegedly rejected a staggering £2 billion offer to join Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League. But now, he has already made up his mind.
The World Cup champion is also heavily in links to a reunion with his old team Barcelona. Due to financial difficulties, Messi has now decided to sign with Inter Miami rather than stay with the LaLiga giants.
‘I’m not going back to Barça, I’m heading to Inter Miami,’ he declared in an interview with Mundo Deportivo.
Lionel Messi to join Inter Miami snubbing Saudi’s offer and Barcelona return
Messi will sign a lucrative contract with the MLS team that might lead to new collaborations with Apple and adidas. Messi won four Champions League championships with the Blaugrana and scored 672 goals in 778 appearances with the club.
His deal with the American team reportedly gives him the chance to share ownership of the football team. As well as it will be a cut of the subscription income from Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
His father, Jorge, allegedly spoke with Barcelona president Joan Laporte earlier this week. But, Messi does not appear to desire to return to his former club.
‘I really wanted [to return to Barcelona], I was very excited to be able to return, 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 and leaving my future in the hands of another,’ the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner said.
‘I wanted to make my own decision, considering myself and my family. Although I had heard that LaLiga had accepted everything and that he was free to return, there were still many more things that needed to be done.
