Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has revealed the extent to which efforts to sign Lionel Messi and bring him to the MLS reached, with talks to land the World Cup winner taking over three years to execute. This is seemingly a small price to pay to snap up arguably the greatest player ever to play the game.
36-year-old Messi has left PSG after two years in the French capital and is sure to be a massive draw to the MLS, a league that continues to expand and grow in terms of exposure, but now with the acquisition of such a legend is sure to take things up a notch.
The obvious interest that Messi’s imminent arrival will bring to Major League Soccer will no doubt also impact sportsbook promos keen to leverage the appeal that comes with a genuine superstar to the competition.
Messi has done it all in soccer terms. The Argentine racked up an astonishing 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona, during which time he helped the Catalan giants to ten La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies, and a host of other accolades before moving to PSG.
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At Paris Saint Germain, Messi still excelled, netting 32 goals in 75 games and winning the domestic title twice, but the ultimate goal of a maiden Champions League triumph for the big-spending French side proved elusive, and now a new challenge faces the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
On the deal, Mas stated;
“In 2019 [when Messi was still at Barcelona], we started thinking about how we could bring him,”
“I spent three years on it, a year-and-a-half [working] very intensely. There were many conversations with [Messi’s father and agent] Jorge. [Inter Miami co-owner] David [Beckham] talked to Leo, only about football issues, because he was a player.”
“I saw it as done at the end of May,” Mas said. “I didn’t want him to feel under pressure. We had spoken in Barcelona, Miami, Rosario, Doha … I spent the whole World Cup in Qatar, watching Argentina.”
“The Apple contract was very important to close the deal.”
That Apple deal refers to a four-part documentary show covering Messi’s enduring efforts to secure the FIFA World Cup, which he achieved in 2022 in Qatar following an exciting 3-3 draw against France, leading to a penalty shoot-out win.
Messi confirmed the move last month;
“I have made the decision that I am going to Miami. I still don’t have it agreed upon 100 percent and a few things are needed, but, well, we decided to continue my path there,”
“After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the league of the United States to live football in another way and to enjoy the day-to-day more. Obviously, with the same responsibility and desire to play well and do things well as always. But in a calmer way.” Messi added.
So what can Messi achieve in the MLS? Well, it’s worth noting that Inter Miami, the side fronted by a certain star by the name of David Beckham, sits bottom of the Eastern Conference, having won just five of their opening 19 games.
That said, the obvious abilities that Messi still possesses could no doubt spur the team on under new manager Gerardo Martino, who previously managed the player at both Barcelona and the Argentine national team.
