07 June 2023 , 14:16
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David Beckham may be about to realise his dream of bringing a bona fide superstar to his MLS franchise with Lionel Messi reported to have decided his next club.
The race to sign the Argentinian icon has ramped up in recent days, with the likes of former club Barcelona and Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal among the frontrunners for his signature. However, it appears that a unique offer which will see Messi move Stateside may have blown these proposals out of the water and snared the 35-year-old.
It had appeared that the legendary forward would be on the move to join old antagonist Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, joining the likes of current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema in the Gulf State. Messi, it transpired, had been offered an eye-watering $400 million to per year, according to the Athletic.
It now seems as though the winger has decided to spurn the advances of both Barcelona and Al-Hilal in favour of a switch to join Inter Miami. According to the BBC, Messi has chosen Inter Miami as his next club, leaving Europe for the first time in his career as a senior player after spells as Barcelona and PSG.
The franchise is, of course, co-owned by former England captain Beckham, and played its first official game in the MLS back in 2020. It would be fair to say that it has been something of an eventful week for the Florida side, with coach of two years Phil Neville having been dismissed following a torrid run of form.
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However, none of this drama seems to have deterred Messi, with any potential deal likely to see the Rosario-born ace net contributions from two of the MLS' key commercial partners. Corporate giants Apple and Adidas have both been in discussions with the league regarding offering the forward a share of revenues generated through his involvement in the MLS.
Lionel Messi may be set for a blockbuster move to the MLS to join David Beckham's Inter Miami. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)According to the Athletic, Apple have offered the player a share of any revenue generated by new subscribers to MLS Season Pass following his signing. Furthermore, Adidas have also offered to hand him a cut of any increase in their profits which may result from his involvement stateside.
On top of this, after a glittering career in Europe which has seen him win countless trophies and become a world-renowned superstar, the chance to spend more time in Miami, where he owns a house, may have swung the balance.
The former Barcelona man could well make his debut versus Mexican side Cruz Azul on July 21. It would be the first time Herons fans would get to see the star take to the field as an Inter Miami player at the club’s DRV PNK Stadium.