After his departure from Paris St-Germain, legendary Argentine footballer Lionel Messi has chosen to continue his career in the United States with Inter Miami, snubbing a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
The deal with Inter Miami involves collaboration with renowned brands such as Adidas and Apple, highlighting the global appeal and commercial potential surrounding Messi’s move. The 35-year-old forward, who has been named the world’s best player seven times, is expected to win the award again this year following his World Cup triumph.
This marks a significant milestone for Messi, as it is the first time he will play outside of Europe in his illustrious career. While he initially wanted to remain in Europe for another season, the lack of satisfactory offers led him to choose between Inter Miami and Al-Hilal.
Despite heavy speculation linking him to Saudi Arabia, where he would have joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in a star-studded league, Messi ultimately decided on a move to Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. Several factors influenced his decision, including the appeal of the Miami lifestyle and the opportunity to collaborate with prominent brands beyond the realm of football. It is worth noting that Messi already owns a house in Miami, which he currently rents out.
Although a return to Barcelona was his preference during the summer, the financial constraints imposed by La Liga’s upcoming Financial Fair Play regulations made it impossible for the club to bring him back.