Lionel Messi Joins Inter Miami in Groundbreaking $60 Million Free Transfer

Inter Miami CF has officially announced the acquisition of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, marking a significant move for Major League Soccer (MLS). The club plans to unveil the highly anticipated addition at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Sunday.

Messi, who recently departed French champions Paris Saint-Germain after a two-season stint, has inked a contract that will keep him with Miami until the end of the 2025 MLS season.

Jorge Mas, the managing owner of Inter Miami, revealed that it took three years of negotiations to secure the 36-year-old's services. He also disclosed that Messi's annual earnings will range between £50 million and $60 million.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Messi stated, "I'm very excited to embark on this new chapter of my career with Inter Miami and in the United States. This presents a fantastic opportunity, and together we will continue to develop this remarkable project. Our aim is to work collectively towards the goals we set, and I am eager to contribute in my new home."

Inter Miami confirmed that Messi will make his debut for the club in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul, scheduled for July 21.

The announcement follows an interview Messi gave to Spanish outlets on June 17, where he expressed his intention to join the MLS club, rejecting the possibility of returning to Barcelona as well as a lucrative offer to play in Saudi Arabia.

According to ESPN sources, the deal includes an option for Messi to acquire partial ownership of Inter Miami, but unlike David Beckham's arrangement in 2007, the league will not subsidize it. Beckham, who is now a co-owner of Inter Miami, was given the opportunity to purchase an MLS team at a discounted price of $25 million when he joined the LA Galaxy.

The negotiations also involved a share of revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV's MLS Season Pass streaming service.

Messi's signing will occupy one of the three designated player spots on Miami's roster, which became available after the contract termination of Mexican midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro on Friday.

Beckham, the driving force behind Miami's team, expressed his pride, saying, "Ten years ago, when I started the journey to build a new team in Miami, I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city. Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much. Today, that dream came true."

Messi will reunite with former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in Miami, as well as former Barcelona and Argentina coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who took over as the manager in late June.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber expressed his excitement, stating, "We are overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer, and his decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our League and our sport in North America."

Messi's illustrious career includes numerous accolades, such as a record seven Ballon d'Or awards for the world's best player and 43 titles. The majority of his success came during his time at Barcelona, where he won 35 titles, including 10 LaLiga championships, eight Spanish Supercopas, seven Copa del Reys, and four Champions League trophies. He left Barcelona as the club's all-time leading goal scorer with 672 goals.

Following Barcelona's financial difficulties, Messi joined PSG for the past two seasons, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles.

One of Messi's defining moments occurred just six months ago when he led Argentina to its first World Cup victory since 1986. He scored twice in the final against France, which ended in a thrilling penalty shootout in Qatar.

As Messi begins his journey with Inter M iami, he faces a significant challenge, as the team currently sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, without a win in their last 10 MLS matches.

Source: ESPN.IN