Lionel Messi Explains His Decision To Move To MLS, It Has Something To Do With Barcelona — Read
The 2022 World Cup winner was to return to his former club Barcelona or to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, but eventually, he decided to join co-owner David Beckham's Inter Miami in MLS.
Star footballer Lionel Messi stated that he will be signing for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami on Wednesday. He decided to move to the United States instead of a Barcelona reunion or a wholesome deal to play in Saudi Arabia. The 35-year-old has played for Paris Saint-Germain in the last two seasons after shifting his base from Barcelona in 2021, where he spent the majority of his career.
The 2022 World Cup winner was to return to his former club Barcelona or to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, but eventually, he decided to join co-owner David Beckham's Inter Miami in MLS.
"I've taken the decision that I am going to Miami, I don't have (the deal) 100 percent sealed or maybe there's something left to do, but we decided to continue our path there," Messi told Spanish newspapers Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo.
"After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barca, it's time to go to MLS to live football in a different way and enjoy my day-to-day life more."
Barcelona issued a statement and said that Messi’s father and his agent confirmed to the club that the Argentine footballer will move to America instead of returning to Spain.
“Barcelona president (Joan) Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years,” the La Liga side said.
Messi who is a seven-time seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, helped Argentina to lift the World Cup title in Qatar in December.
"If it had been a question of money, I would have gone to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere," added Messi.
"It seemed a lot of money and the truth is that my decision went another way and not for money."
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