My football facts ⇒ posts
By Martin Graham | July 12, 2023
The protagonist of the 2023 summer transfer window, Lionel Messi, is close to completing his story after fans spotted him ahead of the completion of his move to South Florida for Inter-Miami.
Over six weeks ago, the 36-year-old announced he was joining David Beckham’s Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. This decision was announced after he decided to end his European adventure.
He did so due to his displeasure at Paris Saint-Germain where he has spent the last two years. He was billed to return to Barcelona & Vienna and worked to find a solution to ensure the move went through. The Catalan giants’ financial constraints made that impossible, prompting Messi to settle for Inter Miami, who have been hoping for his signing for the last three seasons.
Miami have agreed a deal with Apple and Adidas to bring Messi to America. While this deal isn’t on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr deal, it will result in Messi controlling a good chunk of the club while also getting a percentage of the broadcasting and branding rights that Apple and Adidas Inter Miami have and the MLS provide all.
It’s definitely a lucrative move for the Messi family, which has long been linked with Miami.
A fan-captured video of Messi landing at a South Florida airport was released by ESPN, proving that the transfer actually didn’t happen until weeks after the initial announcement.
Miami has been anticipating the move of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner for some time, and that’s reflected in ticket and attendance numbers. Ticket prices have soared as many compete for the limited seats at the 18,000-seat DPR PNK Stadium, which is home to the club. It’s one of the smallest stadiums in the league, which also fits perfectly with Messi’s desire to live out what’s left of his career under less scrutiny.
Miami have also appointed Gerardo Martino as the club’s new manager in anticipation of Messi’s arrival. Martino, who worked with Messi at Barcelona and Argentina national football team between 2013 and 2016, currently has the highest profile of any current MLS manager, showing the club’s willingness to adapt to Messi’s brilliance.
There will also be a reunion with Messi Sergio Busquets who signed for Inter Miami at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season after leaving Barcelona for Jordi Alba. Alba could also join them as the full-back is believed to have chosen the MLS club as his next destination after being eliminated from the Spotify Camp Nou.
Martin Graham is an MFF sportswriter
2023-07-12 22:44:42
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