“I made the decision that I am going to go to Miami,” said Lionel Messi on Wednesday night.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is surely on course for number eight come next award season, will soon officially be an Inter Miami. By his own admission, there are still minor details to fully iron out, but Messi is certain that he will be playinf for the Florida club and not Barcelona.
As 90min reported earlier in the day, Messi agreed to join Inter Miami, a decision that the player himself then conveyed in a joint interview with Barcelona-based newspapers Mundo Deportivo and SPORT. His primary plan was to go back to Barcelona, the club he left in 2021, but wasn’t convinced it would be possible, nor was he prepared to wait around for someone else to tell him yes or no.
Saudi Arabia was another option, but Messi has chosen Miami and Major League Soccer.
As soon as the interview droppd, his decision was known worldwide.
π¨ BREAKING β Lionel Messi: βIβm gonna join Inter Miami. The decision is 100% confirmedβ. pic.twitter.com/rm5R4TGFSM
β Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 7, 2023
Although the player himself was the first to announce it, Inter Miami followed up with a video.
β Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) June 7, 2023
Messi has already been described as the ‘biggest thing ever to happen in MLS’, bigger than even his new boss, David Beckham. There is, however, the small matter of his team being bottom of the Eastern Conference and needing a miracle to reach the playoffs.
βοΈ The biggest thing to ever happen in MLS: Lionel Messi to bottom of the Eastern Conference Inter Miami.#MLS #Messi https://t.co/3GPJzCxpgk pic.twitter.com/FFaAs1EEAe
β FotMob (@FotMob) June 7, 2023
David Beckham was a watershed moment for MLS, But Messi blows Beckham out of the water. #InterMiamiCF #FutbolAmericas #Messiπ΅ https://t.co/A1xhz2diyI pic.twitter.com/IEg6ixzcgm
β herculez gomez (@herculezg) June 7, 2023
Messi’s impending arrival has already sent ticket prices soaring. He won’t be eligible to play until the mid-season transfer window opens, but Miami’s first game after that is a 2023 Leagues Cup clash with Cruz Azul on home turf.
It’s currently cheaper to go to Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Miami ($416) than Lionel Messi’s potential Inter Miami debut against Cruz Azul ($482).
Messi’s arrival is a gamechanger for MLS π
(h/t @brennanjp) pic.twitter.com/0oluT9Peds
β Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 7, 2023
It’s all about engagement.
Inter Miami grew by 1M followers on Instagram just 12 minutes after they announced Messi. π pic.twitter.com/woP1N2tcB5
β BarΓ§a Worldwide (@BarcaWorldwide) June 7, 2023
Other teams are even looking to cash in on Messi Mania.
Per an Atlanta United spokesperson, the club will go full venue for the match vs Messi and Inter Miami on Sept. 16.
Additional ticket inventory in the works.
β Felipe CΓ‘rdenas (@FelipeCar) June 7, 2023
Familiar with his game π€
Welcome to MLS, Messi. pic.twitter.com/nF7N1lGGsy
β LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) June 7, 2023
Is the secret in life to sack Phil Neville?
England sacks Phil Neville wins Euros
Miami sacks Phil Neville secures Messi
β Theo Lloyd-Hughes (@theolloydhughes) June 7, 2023
With Cristiano Ronaldo already in Saudi Arabia, the 2023/24 season will be the first since 2001/02 without either of the two megastars in European football.
European football without Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.
End of an era π pic.twitter.com/Aa98OBHPED
β B/R Football (@brfootball) June 7, 2023
Over 1,000 goal involvements in 853 games is a phenonemal record. Europe is saying goodbye to a legend.
Lionel Messi’s European club career by numbers:
β 853 games
β 704 goals
β 303 assists
β 37 trophiesBarΓ§a was the only club that could have convinced him to stay. π pic.twitter.com/DWVZ4Wtkfc
β Squawka (@Squawka) June 7, 2023
Rather than winding down since turning 30, Messi has still been on fire and will surely put MLS defences to the sword on the regular.
Since turning 30 at the start of the 2017/18 season, Lionel Messi has been directly involved in more league goals than any other player in Europe’s top five divisions.
β 196 games
β 147 goals
β 85 assistsAveraging a goal or assist once every 71.6 minutes. π· pic.twitter.com/tjAGiyNl4X
β Squawka (@Squawka) June 7, 2023
Barcelona fans might have reason to be mad at their club, but not at Messi.
I don’t care what anyone says, I don’t care where Messi goes, as long as he is happy, we should be happy. I am with Messi until the end of time. ππ pic.twitter.com/DzlmvafFwE
β FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) June 7, 2023
