Lionel Messi ‘WILL move to Inter Miami and has chosen MLS over an emotional return to Barcelona

Lionel Messi, the reigning world champion and captain of Argentina, has reportedly decided to join Inter Miami.

According to Guillem Balague, Messi has made the decision to leave for the South Florida club.

This follows reports from L’Equipe this morning said the South Florida-based club was ‘on pole’ for Messi’s signature after the Argentine received formal offers from Saudi Arabia.

A return to Barcelona, ​​which Jorge Messi has indicated would be the destination of choice, was also flirted with.

However, given the financial instability of the Catalan club, an attempt to bring back their all-time top goalscorer was unlikely to come to fruition.

Regarding a move to Saudi Arabia, L’Equipe says Messi and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo “don’t see themselves settling in the Gulf desert with their three boys.”

As for Barcelona, ​​Antonella and Leo remained interested in returning to the Spanish city.

But L’Equipe says a “lingering mistrust” of Barca president Joan Laporta is at least one of the reasons why it’s not possible.

The offer to move to Saudi Arabia came at a time when the country’s Public Investment Fund began tossing wild sums of money to attract senior European footballers.

It was announced earlier this week that Al-Ittihad would sign Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema as Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante also approaches a transfer to the desert kingdom.

Messi’s rejection of the Saudi Pro League bid should be seen as a setback as the Saudis offered him billions of dollars and the chance to renew his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.

This is Major League Soccer’s second major signing of a world-class player who would bring significant attention to their competition – mirroring the same move Beckham made in 2007.

As a result, MLS’s offer to Messi included much more than just money through a club contract. “The league has become very creative with this,” a stakeholder told The Athletic of a possible deal to bring in Messi. “Everything is on the table.”

The deal would involve contributions from two of MLS’s largest commercial partners: Apple TV, their current broadcast rights holder, and Adidas, MLS’ apparel sponsor.

MLS and Apple have reportedly discussed offering Messi a share of the revenue generated by new subscribers attracted to the platform’s streaming package, MLS Season Pass, through the star’s arrival in the United States.

Apple is also working on a four-part docuseries that chronicles Messi’s four World Cup appearances.

Meanwhile, the report added that Adidas is offering Messi a profit-sharing deal with the sportswear giant, under which the player will receive a discount on any increase in Adidas’ profits as a result of its involvement in MLS.

Messi and Adidas have a long-standing partnership – the Argentinian signed with the German sportswear brand in 2006. Finally, in 2017, he signed a lifetime shoe deal with them.

There are also rumors that Messi will have the same option in his contract that Beckham was given, allowing the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to buy a stake in an MLS club at a predetermined price.

Messi’s departure comes at a time when his relationship with his club, PSG, is arguably at its worst.

The fan’s supporters have jeered Messi’s name when he is announced and when he has touched the ball in some matches.

There is more turmoil within the Parisian club – with manager Christophe Galtier sacked after one season and rumors suggesting Neymar may be looking to leave.

Paris Saint-Germain won the Ligue 1 title on the final day, one point ahead of title rivals Lens, despite a 3-2 defeat to Clermont Foot.