Lionel Messi is on the verge of joining Inter Miami in a move that will also seal a collaboration with big brands including Apple and Adidas.
The 35-year-old was a target for Al-Hilal and gave serious consideration to a huge offer from Saudi Arabia. But he has opted to move to Major League Soccer and to play for the club part-owned by David Beckham.
It is the first time Messi will play outside of Europe but, like Cristiano Ronaldo when he became available in January, there were not offers to rival the financial package on offer in Florida.
He had been linked with a return to Barcelona but part of the offer from Miami included a lucrative partnership with Apple which could see him collaborate on documentaries and TV shows during his stay in the US.
Messi also has a house in Miami and it’s being reported that “lifestyle considerations” may have played a part in his decision.
Barcelona, by contrast, could not afford to bring him back and comply with Financial Fair Play limitations.
Messi departs Paris Saint-Germain after a mixed two years in the French capital. While the team won the Ligue 1 title in successive seasons, they exited the Champions League in the round of 16 twice and he was booed by supporters before announcing his exit.
He leaves European football arguably with his stock declining but he remains a huge draw and it is only 7 months since he was the catalyst for Argentina‘s stunning World Cup success.
Arriving in the MLS will bring more eyeballs to the league and Apple’s involvement comes after the company worked on a multi-year TV deal.
Messi’s decision appears part of a wider trend for elite players reaching the later stages of their career to leave Europe and accept more lucrative offers elsewhere.
Karim Benzema has signed for Al-Ittihad while N’Golo Kante is also considering an offer from Saudi Arabia. But Messi’s move to the MLS is arguably bigger than any of them.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/q479dWL
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