A football legend has left Europe. Lionel Messi has confirmed that he will join Inter Miami as his next club and not the Saudi Pro League or return to Barcelona, the Argentine has confirmed. Messi shunned off a multi-million deal from Saudi in favour of a shocking move to MLS, in which will arguably bring the 21st century’s best player on American football turf.
But what terms has he been offered in his contract and what kind of pay cheque will he be getting?
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Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami contract
Now this is where it gets complicated. The official terms of Messi’s contract haven’t been revealed yet. But with the announcement of MLS television partner Apple TV offering Messi a profit-sharing agreement, added to the fact that a World Cup documentary will be released on the Apple platform, this surely sweetens the deal.
Various reports had suggested that the Argentine World Cup winner was offered to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi. An offer of $300 was put up on the table for Messi, and he was even considering a return to Barcelona.
The Inter Miami contract also reportedly has a clause where Messi is allowed to buy a stake in the club once he retires – much of like what David Beckham added in his LA Galaxy deal. Many more things have been reported but anything yet is to be confirmed by the officials. One thing is for sure though, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is heading to the MLS.
Lionel Messi officially confirms that he will be joining Inter Miami🚨
◉ “I really wanted to return to Barça, I had that dream. But after what happened 2 years ago, I did not want to be in the same situation again”#Messi #Barcelona pic.twitter.com/cWf3Ekpp9j
— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC) June 7, 2023
Messi’s Inter Miami salary
Much like what Ronaldo’s move did to the Saudi Pro League, Messi’s switch to MLS will see the league’s stock rising and gain interest from around the world. Major League Soccer is still not the most popular league on American soil with leagues like NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL all ahead in the queue (for now).
Messi’s salary like his other contract details are yet to be announced officially. Although it should come cheap to Inter Miami because of the fact that MLS has a salary cap system (much like La Liga), which limits a clubs spending to $5.5m in 2023.
That would immediately reduce the current salary Messi will earn at Miami to what he earned at PSG. Even though he did receive an explosive deal from Saudi to join Al Hilal, the Argentine had already made up his mind.
Given the fact that Messi rejected a $400m offer from Saudi Arabia, it might be fair to say that Inter Miami’s newest acquisition will be earning some serious bags of money.
