ESPNJun 7, 2023 3:00pm ET5 minutes read
Gomez: Messi ‘overthrows’ Beckham’s MLS signing
Herculez Gomez says MLS is poised for a big win with Lionel Messi’s imminent arrival at Inter Miami.
Messi made the announcement of his next club in an interview with Spanish publications Mundo Deportivo and Sport. MLS later confirmed the proposed deal on social media.
The 2022 world champions have been linked with a return to former club Barcelona as well as a possible move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal but ultimately opted for a move to MLS for co-owner David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
“I made the decision to go to Miami. I’m still not 100 percent in agreement on this and there are still a few things to do, but well, we’ve decided to continue on my way there,” said Messi.
“After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the United States League to experience football in a different way and to enjoy everyday life more. Of course with the same.” Responsibility and the desire to play well and do things well as always. But in a quieter way.”
Sources confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle that the terms include an option for a stake in Inter Miami, but that would not be subsidized by the league like Beckham was in 2007. When Beckham joined LA Galaxy, he was given the option to buy an MLS team at the discounted price of $25 million.
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ESPN also confirmed that a cut in revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass streaming service is part of the negotiations. Any agreement between Messi and Adidas would be solely between the player and the company and would not affect MLS directly.
“We are delighted that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami and Major League Soccer this summer.” MLS said in a written statement. “While we are still working to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of football’s all-time greats to our league.”
The arrival of 35-year-old Messi is set to be the biggest signing in MLS’ 27-year history, surpassed only by Beckham’s arrival.
His signing will also be a big boost for a Miami team bottomed in the Eastern Conference who fired coach Phil Neville last week.
What would MLS look like with Lionel Messi at David Beckham’s Inter Miami?
Luis Miguel Echegaray believes that Lionel Messi’s possible arrival in MLS at Inter Miami will revolutionize the game in the United States.
Miami has reportedly been in talks with Tata Martino about taking on the leadership role there. Martino is a former coach for Argentina and Barcelona and has worked with Messi in both teams.
Barcelona have repeatedly expressed their wish for Messi to return to the Catalan club, but sources told ESPN’s Jordi Blanco that despite Barca’s efforts to adjust his payroll to financially accommodate the move, Messi has decided not to wait any longer, and have ruled out his former club as a club target for next season.
Messi started his career at Barcelona, where he joined the club as a 13-year-old youth player, where he was a record player and top scorer, as well as winning ten goals LaLiga trophies and four Champions League titles.
However, amid a financial crisis, Barca were unable to renew his contract in August 2021, forcing him to leave. He joined PSG on a free transfer later that month.
Alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, he helped PSG to the Ligue 1 title in both seasons spent in the French capital. However, consecutive knockout rounds of the Champions League meant the club’s quest for a first European title continues.
During his time in Paris, he was booed by some fans on a number of occasions, including saying goodbye in his last game for the club.
Messi has scored 32 goals and provided 35 assists in 75 games in all competitions for PSG.
His stint at PSG was matched by other successes. In December, Messi led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup, ending the wait for the one major honor that eluded him in his career.
He was then named Men’s Footballer of the Year at The Best FIFA Football Awards in February – his second win of the award in addition to his record seven Ballon d’Or trophies.