Lionel Messi announced his next club on Wednesday, and it is not Barcelona.
The Argentina captain said that he has made his decision to move to the United States of America to join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami co-owned by David Beckham.
The announcement put to bed speculations of him returning to boyhood club Barcelona which had been in negotiations to secure his services for one last dance. Messi was also wanted by Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and they reportedly offered him a big money contract.
In a video interview shared online by Spanish sports outlet Diario Sport, Messi said the deal is not yet closed 100% but he has already decided to continue his journey in Miami.
“I made the decision that I am going to Miami. I still haven’t closed it one hundred per cent. I’m missing some things but we decided to continue my journey there. [I decided] to leave Europe,” Messi said.
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.
“Obviously with the same responsibility and desire to win, and to do things well, but with more calm.” the World Cup winner said.
After Messi’s confirmation, Major League Soccer (MLS) released a statement saying that they look forward to welcoming him.
“We are pleased that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami and Major League Soccer this summer. Although work remains to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our League.”
This is going to be the first time Messi plays for a club outside Europe, after conquering the continent for almost two decades.
