It is verified. Lionel Messi has decided to relocate to the United States and join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer rather than accept a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia.
Messi, 35, has revealed he is joining Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his two-year deal. Messi has ruled out returning to Barcelona due to the Nou Camp’s persistent financial issues.
Messi told the tabloids Mundo Deportivo and Diario Sport, “I’ve made the decision that I’m going to Miami.”
I made the decision to leave Europe.
“It’s true that I received offers from other European teams, but I didn’t even consider them because in Europe, my only option was to sign with Barcelona,” he continued.
“Now that I’ve won the World Cup but can’t go to Barcelona, it’s time to move to Major League Soccer so I can experience football in a new way and enjoy my daily life more.
“Obviously, with greater calm, and with the same responsibility and desire to succeed and do things well.”
Overtaking players like Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, and David Beckham—the latter of whom is a co-owner of Inter Miami—Messi will become the most well-known name to play in the Major League Soccer (MLS).
Messi is familiar with Inter because he and the rest of the Argentina team trained there in September before their friendly World Cup match against Honduras at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Messi would later score twice in the contest, including an incredible chip, to give Argentina a 3-0 victory.
After the game, Messi returned to the practice field to see some Inter players, including Gonzalo Higuain, a former teammate on the international stage.
Inter’s Argentine goalkeeper Ranieri was one of the people that spoke with Messi and requested a signature from the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Sportingly, Messi concurred, and Ranieri lost no time in making it official by getting the signature tattooed the following day. View the video up top.
Ranieri later remarked on Instagram alongside a photo of his new tattoo: “The happiest day ever. Yesterday, a dream came true for me. shared the field with my country’s national team and players I respect.
“I met my role model, the greatest player of all time, who is an amazing person on and off the field. It’s impossible to express how happy I was to see you and learn that you were willing to autograph my arm.
“Leo, you came true a dream, and every time I look at my arm, I’ll be reminded of the joy I felt the first time I met you.
“I have no words to express how fantastic you are! To live dreams like the one I was able to live yesterday, there had to be a lot of sacrifice and things set aside.
“I have so many opportunities because to this sport! Let’s continue everything now more than ever!”
Ranieri, who left Inter in February to join Florida Atlantic University’s squad, will regrettably not have the opportunity to play alongside Messi for his club.
However, he has responded enthusiastically to the information that Messi would soon arrive in Miami, publishing a photo of the two on Instagram with the message “Sonando despierto,” which is Spanish for “daydreaming.”
