5 Ultimate Facts About Messi's shock transfer to Inter Miami

Inter Miami have confirmed the signing of Lionel Messi in a transfer that shocked world football.

By: Leey

06/08/2023 01:59

Ultimately, Messi made the decision to join Inter Miami over Al Hilal or Barcelona, which marked a momentous transfer for American football as a whole, as well as for Inter Miami specifically. However, the question remains: why did Messi opt for Inter Miami instead of the clubs in Saudi Arabia and accept a surprisingly reduced salary?

Overview of Messi's shocking transfer to Inter Miami

Dizzying developments

According to a recent report by Spanish newspaper Sport, Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham, made an official offer to Messi. The offer entails a four-year contract with the MLS team, with Messi earning a staggering 50 million euros per season.

While Inter Miami has consistently been mentioned as a potential destination for Messi, who is nearing the end of his contract with PSG on June 30, the Argentine has been predominantly linked to his former club Barcelona and Al-Hilal in the Middle East. On June 4, Footmercato stated that Messi's representatives had accepted a lucrative offer of 1.2 billion euros for two seasons from Al-Hilal. However, on June 5, Messi's representatives requested a postponement of his joining Al-Hilal until 2024. Interestingly, Messi's decision came just hours after his father, Jorge, acknowledged that the striker would love to return to Barcelona.

By the early morning of June 7, numerous sources, including renowned Argentine journalist Hernan Castillo and Barcelona transfer expert Gerard Romero, reported that Messi had agreed to join Inter Miami. This sudden change in direction has left many wondering about the underlying reasons behind his decision.

A great deal for Messi, Inter Miami and Barca ?

Upon closer examination of recent developments, the unfolding scenario is not entirely surprising. According to L'Equipe, Barcelona has devised a plan to collaborate with Inter Miami in order to secure Messi's services. The proposed arrangement involves Inter Miami signing Messi and subsequently loaning him back to Barcelona for a duration of 18 months. Once the loan spell with Barcelona concludes, Messi would then return to play in the MLS.

This collaborative agreement would serve as a solution for Barcelona, enabling them to navigate the financial fair play regulations and stringent financial constraints imposed by La Liga while successfully bringing Messi back to Camp Nou. Simultaneously, by continuing to compete in European football, Messi can maintain his form and availability for the Copa America in 2024.

Lionel Messi
Messi decided to join in Inter Miami

This arrangement appears to be mutually beneficial for Messi, Barcelona, and Inter Miami. Messi himself would have the opportunity to reunite with his former team and play for an additional season and a half. Barcelona would acquire the star player they require without expending excessive effort or resources.

By acquiring Messi, Inter Miami will secure a top-tier superstar who will significantly elevate the team's image. This ambitious club has been seeking a breakthrough in the MLS, and Messi's presence will undoubtedly put them in the spotlight. The economic benefits stemming from this acquisition are expected to be substantial.

The MLS itself is highly supportive of Inter Miami's pursuit of Messi. They believe that his arrival will not only enhance the club's appeal but also contribute to the overall attraction of the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Messi's involvement in the league will play a crucial role in elevating the football scene in the region and generating increased interest and excitement.

5 things to know about Messi's transfer to Inter Miami

Why did Inter Miami buy Messi?

Inter Miami has been implementing a strategy to attract Messi for the past three years. Their primary focus has been on assembling a formidable team that would entice the Argentine star, exemplified by their recruitment of Gonzalo Higuain in 2020. Higuain, the Argentine striker, took the initiative to inform Messi about the opportunity to play football in the United States.

South Florida, where North and South America converge, holds a special place in Messi's heart, and he frequently enjoys vacations in the region. While the presence of David Beckham was intended to facilitate the transfer, it was not the determining factor in reaching an agreement with the Argentinian superstar. Jorge and Jose Mas, two new co-owners, play pivotal roles in attracting Messi to Inter Miami. They have maintained close communication with Messi over the past few years and possess unwavering confidence that the deal will come to fruition.

"David and I have been working really hard. We have aspirations of bringing the best players here, and Leo Messi is a generational player, arguably the best player of all time. I am optimistic Messi will play in an Inter Miami shirt because I think it will complete the legacy of the greatest player in our generation and will meet with the ambitions of the owners of Inter Miami to build a world-class team." - Mas said on the Miami Herald in 2021 about the want to sign with Lionel Messi.

Why did Messi choose Inter Miami?

Messi's decision to choose Inter Miami was primarily driven by the suitability of life in the United States for himself and his family. The idea of settling in the US had been a long-standing intention for Messi's family. Whenever they went on summer vacations, Miami always stood out as an ideal destination. In fact, a few years ago, the Argentine player purchased an ultra-luxurious apartment in Miami.

Lionel Messi

Money also played a significant role in Messi's choice, although he wouldn't be able to earn as much by playing football in Saudi Arabia. At Inter Miami, Messi will enjoy special benefits alongside his basic salary, such as receiving a portion of the revenue generated by Apple and Adidas, the main partners of MLS. Additionally, as part of his agreement, the former PSG player will be entitled to shares of Inter Miami once his contract with the club expires.

Messi has previously expressed his desire to venture into football management rather than pursuing a coaching career after retiring. This aligns with the path taken by David Beckham, the British owner of Inter Miami. The allure of being associated with Beckham is another factor that attracts Messi to the MLS.

Why does Messi not return to Barcelona?

When it comes to aspirations, Messi's gaze is fixed on Barcelona, not Inter Miami. However, despite his strong attachment to the Catalan club, the 35-year-old superstar ultimately opted to pursue football in the United States. He cited being "exhausted" from the transfer saga associated with Barcelona as a significant factor in his decision.

Messi revealed that he had extensive discussions with coach Xavi regarding a potential return to Barcelona. However, he acknowledges that despite La Liga giving the green light, there are still many missing conditions for the transfer to materialize. "While there have been reports of La Liga's approval, the reality is that there are still significant obstacles preventing my return to Barca. I do not wish to be the cause for the club to sell players or reduce wages. I am weary of this issue," Messi expressed.

"I genuinely desire to come back to Barcelona," Messi admitted. "It has been a dream of mine." Nevertheless, the Argentine superstar made the decision to distance himself from the financial troubles plaguing Barcelona. As for Saudi Arabia, Messi found it easier to decline due to his unfamiliarity with the league and Middle Eastern culture, despite the significant financial incentives involved.

How much does Messi earn at Inter Miami?

The details of Messi's contract with Inter Miami have not been disclosed by the club. However, Spanish newspaper Sport reported that Messi signed a four-year contract, while Revelo claimed it was a two-year agreement.

While the specific salary of Messi at Inter Miami remains private, it is certainly not as high as his earnings at PSG. At the French club, the Argentine star receives a total income of up to $75 million annually, including bonuses and shirt sales.

It is important to note that MLS operates under a salary cap system, which prevents clubs from overspending. Currently, the highest-paid player in MLS is Xherdan Shaqiri, earning $8.15 million in 2023. Messi may receive a higher salary than the Swiss player, but not by a significant margin. In other words, Messi's salary at Inter Miami represents a considerable decrease compared to his time at PSG, especially when compared to the proposed salary of $450 million per year from Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi

However, at Inter Miami, Messi enjoys additional financial benefits beyond his salary. Specifically, he will receive a portion of the revenue generated from new Apple TV subscribers who sign up for an MLS viewing package. Currently, individuals interested in watching MLS through Apple TV pay between $15 and $99 per season. Furthermore, Messi also receives a share of Adidas' profits from the sale of sportswear in the US associated with the Argentine star. The involvement of Apple and Adidas, the two main partners of MLS, can be seen as a significant factor in Messi's decision to join Inter Miami.

Notably, Messi is also committed to receiving shares in Inter Miami after his departure from the club. When considering all the financial benefits combined with his salary, Messi's overall compensation at Inter Miami could be a substantial figure, although it falls short of the proposed contract in Saudi Arabia.

When will Messi make his debut at Inter Miami?

It is highly probable that Messi will make his debut wearing an Inter Miami jersey in the upcoming match against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup. The Leagues Cup is an annual tournament featuring teams from both the MLS and the Mexican championship. The match is scheduled to take place on July 21 at Fort Lauderdale, which serves as Inter Miami's home ground.

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Written by: Leey

Leey is the reporter for Betimate. She currently has a series of articles about football. She specializes in researching football data to come up with evaluations about the tournament and predictions about the matches.