The captain of Argentina’s world champions Lionel Messi will, after leaving Paris St. Germain to play for Inter Miami. The seven-time best soccer player in the world decided to engage in the overseas league MLS instead of returning to Barcelona or a lucrative offer from the Saudi Arabian Al-Hilal, who allegedly offered him a contract for 400 million dollars (8.5 billion crowns) a year. He stated this in an interview with the Spanish newspapers El Mundo Deportivo and Sport.
“It has already been decided. I will not return to Barcelona, I will go to Inter Miami,” Messi said. “It’s not completely closed yet, there are a few things left, but I’ve decided to continue there,” declared the thirty-five-year-old gunner.
After the expiration of his two-year contract at PSG, he will wear the jersey of Inter Miami, which is co-owned by former English football star David Beckham. According to the BBC, Messi’s contract in Florida will also include sponsorships with companies such as Adidas and Apple. In Miami, the Argentinian player already has a house, which he has been renting until now.
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) June 7, 2023
According to his words, he was not satisfied in Paris. “I wasn’t happy for those two years, I didn’t like it there. And it affected my family life. I couldn’t accompany the children to school like when I was in Barcelona. I didn’t enjoy them as much,” stated Messi, saying that now the family will take priority.
Messi’s father and agent Jorge met with Barcelona chairman Joan Laporta this week and told reporters that his son is eager to return to Camp Nou, where he spent his entire professional career until his move to PSG last year. However, according to the BBC, this option fell through due to financial fair play restrictions on the Catalan club.
Because of Barcelona’s financial difficulties, Messi left the year before and now he didn’t want to wait to see how the situation would develop. “I heard they had to cut salaries and sell someone. I didn’t want to go into that, even though I really wanted to go back. But after I had to leave, I didn’t want to go through that again. Waiting to see what happens and leave my future in foreign hands,” he said.
Messi played for Barcelona for 17 seasons and is their top scorer. He won 35 trophies with the club, led by four Champions League triumphs.
He will not imitate Cristiano Ronaldo or Karim Benzema, who after successful years in Europe nodded to generous offers from Saudi Arabia.
2023-06-07 20:04:02
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