Former Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi is reportedly on the verge of signing a contract with Inter Miami, a top-flight league club in the United States, according to a report from News About Nigeria.
Messi recently departed PSG after his contract expired, and there were strong rumors linking him with a return to Barcelona.
However, Barcelona lacked the necessary financial resources to make the reunion a viable option, despite high hopes from former teammate and current Barcelona manager, Xavi.
While Messi also received an offer from Saudi Arabia Pro League club Al Hilal, it appears that the proposal is no longer on the table.
It is believed that Messi has a personal interest in moving to the United States, following his brief stint in France, which ended with some discord between the player, fans, and club management.
If the deal is finalized, it will mark the first time Messi plays for a club outside of Europe and the second team he represents since leaving Barcelona in 2021.
Inter Miami, the MLS club that Messi is reportedly joining, is co-owned by English football legend David Beckham, along with American brothers Jorge and Jose Mas. The club is reputed to be one of the leading soccer clubs in the United States.
The news of Messi’s potential move has unsettled Barcelona fans, who had anticipated a reunion after Messi’s recent presence at a Coldplay concert in Barcelona.
Similar to other notable players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who have ventured to the Saudi Arabian League, numerous players have enjoyed successful spells in the United States. For instance, former Chelsea legend Frank Lampard played for New York City FC, while David Beckham signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2008.
