Lionel Messi is about to workforce up with David Beckham in Main League Soccer.
The Argentina legend is near formalising an settlement to hitch the Beckham co-owned Inter Miami in a free switch from Paris-Saint Germain in the summertime of 2023 that might make him the highest-paid participant within the historical past of MLS, in accordance with the Sunday Occasions.
“I wish to play in the US at some point; it’s at all times been one in all my desires,” Messi informed Spanish media final 12 months.
Based on the report, the MLS membership managed by Beckham’s former Manchester United teammate Phil Neville can also be contemplating including Messi’s former Barcelona teammates, Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas.
Suárez is again with Nacional in his native Uruguay whereas Fàbregas performs in Italy’s Serie B at Como.
“This membership will at all times need to convey a celebrity to Miami, and plenty of high gamers need to come right here due to the place we’re,” Neville mentioned earlier this 12 months.
Messi left Barcelona for a $41 million yearly wage with PSG in 2021, successful the Ligue 1 crown in France final season.
The 35-year-old Messi, who already has a house in Miami, is second in soccer historical past behind Cristiano Ronaldo with 764 profession objectives for membership and nation forward of Argentina’s subsequent World Cup match in Qatar on Wednesday towards Poland.
A World Cup title has eluded Messi in 4 earlier tries in his profession with Argentina, however he netted the go-ahead purpose in Saturday’s win over Mexico following a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia to open the event.
Inter Miami, which completed its third MLS season in sixth place within the Japanese Convention earlier than dropping within the first spherical of the playoffs to NYCFC in October, is about to start building quickly on a billion-dollar stadium close to Miami airport that’s slated to open in 2025.
“Properly, look, each David Beckham and I aspire to convey the very best gamers on the planet right here to Miami, not solely due to the mission we’re creating,” Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas informed Sport Central earlier this 12 months.
“We need to be the purpose of reference for soccer in the US, however while you discuss the very best gamers on the planet, Leo is clearly the very best participant on the planet.
“Hopefully the situations shall be met for him to be there, taking part in with the Inter Miami jersey. We aspire to that. I hope the circumstances are given. We have now nothing assured, there is no such thing as a settlement, however I’m a really optimistic man and I hope that sooner or later Leo Messi may be a part of our mission.
“There are plenty of Catalans right here: there’s Xavi Asensi, Víctor Oliver, who has simply arrived from Barcelona to convey up matters for the long run.
“We’re going to construct a brand new stadium. I used to be with Joan Laporta [the Barcelona president]. It’s what I aspire to, that Inter Miami has shut relations with the sort of membership.”
This text was initially revealed by the New York Publish and reproduced with permission
