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‘It wasn’t about money’ — Lionel Messi as he confirms move to MLS club Inter Miami

Football Transfers Lionel Messi
JUN 8, 2023 LISTEN
Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has countered speculation about his next club by announcing he will join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami next season.

The 35-year-old Argentine superstar will leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires in June 2023.

Messi had been linked with a return to former club Barcelona or a big-money move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.

But respected football journalist Fabrizio Romano reported Wednesday evening that Messi’s decision was made.

“Al Hilal won’t send any final bid to Messi. No chance and no sense to improve the proposal as decision has been made: he will join Inter Miami,” Romano tweeted.

Romano added that Barcelona had “no chance” to re-sign Messi due to La Liga financial rules.

“Lionel Messi to Inter Miami, here we go! The decision has been made and it will be announced by Leo in the next hours,” he said.

True to Romano’s word, Messi himself confirmed the news just minutes later.

In a brief statement, the record seven-time Ballon d’Or winner said: “If it had been a matter of money, I’d have gone to Arabia or elsewhere. It seemed like a lot of money to me.”

“The truth is that my final decision goes elsewhere and not because of money,” he added, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

Messi joined PSG in 2021 after Barcelona could not afford to renew his contract due to their financial problems.

He scored 32 goals in 75 appearances for the French giants, helping them win two Ligue 1 titles.

But Messi made no secret of his desire to play in the U.S. before retiring.

Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, has been looking forward to a boost like Messi’s that will make them lift the league title having chased him for years.

The addition of Messi is a major coup and instantly makes them a team to watch, particularly as the club bottles this season’s Eastern Conference.

After years of rumors, the prospect of seeing Lionel Messi play in America has finally become a reality.

Isaac Donkor Distinguished
Isaac Donkor Distinguished

News ReporterPage: IsaacDonkorDistinguished

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