Argentina forward Lionel Messi has agreed to terms with American Major League Soccer club Inter Miami on a contract that would last through 2025.
The 36-year-old seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will leave Paris St-Germain at the end of the 2022-23 season.
“I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” said Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup victory last year in Qatar.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi has agreed to terms with American Major League Soccer club Inter Miami on a contract that would last through 2025.
The 36-year-old seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will leave Paris St-Germain at the end of the 2022-23 season.
“I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” said Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup victory last year in Qatar.
David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, called the signing a “dream come true.”
Messi, who has never played for a club outside of Europe, went on to say, “This is a fantastic opportunity, and together we will continue to build this beautiful project.”
Argentina forward Lionel Messi has agreed to terms with American Major League Soccer club Inter Miami on a contract that would last through 2025.
The 36-year-old seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will leave Paris St-Germain at the end of the 2022-23 season.
“I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” said Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup victory last year in Qatar.
David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, called the signing a “dream come true.”
Messi, who has never played for a club outside of Europe, went on to say, “This is a fantastic opportunity, and together we will continue to build this beautiful project.”
“The idea is to collaborate in order to achieve the goals we set.”
“[I wanted] players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy, to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much.
“Today that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s calibre is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community.
“The next phase of our adventure starts her, and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the pitch.”
Messi will be available to play for Miami against LIGA MX side Cruz Azul on 21 July in their opening match of Leagues Cup.
“We are overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami and Major League Soccer, and his decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our league and our sport in North America,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber.
“We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a league of choice for the best players in the game. We look forward to seeing his debut for Inter Miami in our Leagues Cup tournament later this month.”
Messi earned the last of his seven Ballon d’Or honours in 2021, and he could win it again later this year after leading Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022.
He finished last season with 16 goals and 16 assists in Ligue 1 after scoring 32 goals in 75 games for PSG.
After 21 years with Barcelona, Messi joined the French team in 2021.
Messi has 672 goals for Barcelona and has won 10 La Liga crowns, four Champions Leagues, and seven Spanish Cups.