Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has claimed that Lionel Messi can turn the MLS into one of the top three leagues in the World
Mas made this massive claim while speaking to El Pais about Messi’s arrival.
“The idea of putting Messi in the Inter Miami shirt comes from a long time ago. In 2019, we started thinking about how we could bring him in,” Mas told El Pais.
“Messi can turn MLS into one of the two or three biggest leagues in the world. I think he comes with the desire to leave his mark, and he will be able to do so beyond football.
“When he retires he will have a stake in the club. I imagine a life after football for Messi very similar to that of David Beckham or Michael Jordan.”
Messi joined Inter Miami as a free agent after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired on June 30.
Football legends, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Beckham and more have previously played in the MLS, but none has been able to transcend the league to a new level.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner will be coached by former Barcelona boss Gerardo Tata Martino, who was appointed as new coach last week to replace former Manchester United player Phil Neville.
Sergio Busquets, Messi’s former teammate at Barcelona is also expected to join the US Club following the expiration of his contract at the Spanish side.
According to Mas, Messi will earn close to $60 million per year which includes his salary, owning a stake in Inter Miami and his signing bonus. That contract runs from this July 1 2023 until late December 2025
Inter Miami are currently situated bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference with 16 points in 19 games.
