LIONEL MESSI has confirmed he will join Inter Miami this summer after a return to Barcelona collapsed.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of June.
And Inter Miami have now confirmed his stunning move in a video on Twitter which included several reports of the transfer.
Messi himself told Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo: “I’ve taken the decision that I am going to Miami. [I decided] to leave Europe.”
He added: “It’s true that I had offers from another European team but I didn’t even think about it because in Europe, my idea was only to go to Barcelona.
“After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barca, it’s time to go to MLS to live football in a different way and enjoy my day to day life more.
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“Obviously with the same responsibility and desire to win, and to do things well, but with more calm.”
Messi was linked with a return to Barcelona in recent weeks, but the club’s current financial state has made it difficult for them to submit an adequate offer.
The forward’s father and agent, Jorge, held talks with Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Monday morning to discuss the possibility of a free transfer.
The 65-year-old even revealed that his son was eager to return to the Nou Camp.
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However, Inter Miami’s offer appears have been too good to turn down.
In a response statement, Barca said: “On Monday, June 5, Jorge Messi, the player’s father and representative, informed Club President Joan Laporta of the player’s decision to join Inter Miami, despite having been presented with a proposal from Barça, in consideration of the desire of both FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi for him to once again wear blaugrana.
“President Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years.
“Both Joan Laporta and Jorge Messi also agreed to work together to promote a proper tribute from Barça fans to honour a footballer who has been, is, and always will be beloved by Barca.”
Spanish outlet SPORT report that he will earn £43million-a-year which equates to £830,000-a-week.
And according to The Athletic, Adidas, Apple and MLS were all hoping to entice the Argentine to lucrative commercial proposals.
I’ve taken the decision that I am going to Miami.
Lionel Messi
Adidas – one of the league’s largest corporate sponsors – have reportedly proposed a profit-sharing agreement, meaning the forward will receive a cut of any increase in profits resulting from his MLS involvement.
MLS and Apple have also considered offering Messi a share of the revenue generated by new subscribers to the MLS Season Pass, the league’s streaming package on Apple TV+.
In addition to these commercial proposals, MLS chiefs are understood to be willing to offer Messi the option to purchase a percentage of any team in the league upon his retirement.
Messi was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia following the announcement of his PSG departure.
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However, he didn’t want to join former rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the Saudi Pro League.
The 35-year-old already owns a stunning £7m apartment in Miami which boasts incredible views of the coastline.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
