It’s an end of an era. After the news of Karim Benzema departing from Real Madrid, Lionel Messi has announced a shocking move. The Argentinian superstar has announced a move to Major League Soccer club Inter Miami on a free transfer.
Messi, who was believed to be re-joining Barcelona will be plying his trade for the American club. Confirming his imminent switch to MLS, Messi said, “I made the decision that I am going to go to Miami. I still haven’t closed it 100 per cent. I’m missing some things but we decided to continue the path.”
He further stated, “I had offers from other European teams but I didn’t even evaluate them because my idea was to go to Barcelona. If the Barcelona thing didn’t work out, then leaving European football, much more after winning the World Cup, was what I needed. Finishing my career on this side and living the United States league in a different way, enjoying day to day much more but with the same responsibility of wanting to win and always doing things well, but with more peace of mind.”
Football & Studs
Despite a mega-money offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal, who were widely expected to sign the 35-year-old until it was revealed he had delayed a move to the Middle East, Messi has opted to head stateside to join up with Inter Miami – the club co-owned by former PSG, Manchester United and Real Madrid star, David Beckham. Messi’s former club Barcelona had also been desperate to re-sign him, but a return to Camp Nou has not materialised after protracted courting from the Blaugrana.
Lionel Messi is a legend. The World champion has played for Barcelona for the majority of his career. He joined Barcelona’s academy at 13 years old after leaving his homeland. At Barcelona, he became the Catalan club’s greatest icon, scoring a record 672 goals in 778 games, winning 35 trophies, including four Champions League triumphs and 10 La Liga titles.
After his unexpected Barcelona departure, Messi linked up in Paris with his former teammate Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappe in a star-studded attacking trident, but PSG flattered to deceive during his time at the club.
With Messi departing from European football, it is literally the end of an era.
