The once unimaginable has now become a certainty. A long-held dream has transformed into reality. Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, is set to make his way to Inter Miami. After endless speculation, rumors, and leaks, the moment has arrived—Messi’s arrival at the club is imminent.
Lionel Messi’s situation at Barcelona in 2020 created significant speculation about his future, marking a pivotal moment in his career. After deciding to stay for another season, Messi eventually became a free agent the following summer, allowing him to explore new opportunities outside of Barcelona.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) emerged as the frontrunners and successfully secured his signature, bringing him to the French capital. However, prior to his move to PSG, there were discussions and rumors about the possibility of Messi joining Major League Soccer (MLS) and specifically Inter Miami, a club that has long been interested in attracting high-profile players, including Messi’s former teammate Gonzalo Higuain.
While Inter Miami appeared to be well-positioned to meet Messi’s requirements, including their ambition to build a team capable of enticing him, ultimately, Messi opted for PSG. His decision to join the French club opened up the possibility of seeing him play in a different league and brought hope to clubs outside of Catalonia, showcasing that the superstar was open to new challenges and experiences in his career. MLS has been actively working to shed its “retirement league” reputation that has been attached to it by the global football community. In recent years, the league has been focused on attracting younger talents, exemplified by signings like Messi’s fellow World Cup teammate, Thiago Almada.
Nevertheless, there is still room for established players in MLS, as demonstrated by the arrivals of Lorenzo Insigne, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Christian Benteke in the past year. However, none of them compare to Messi, both on and off the field.
While Messi may not be at the pinnacle of his powers from his Barcelona days, there is a valid argument that he remains one of the top five players in the world. He is a strong contender to win the Ballon d’Or this year, having played a key role in Argentina’s triumph at the World Cup. Last season, he recorded an impressive tally of 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG across all competitions, resulting in a goal involvement per game over his 41 appearances.
This is what makes Messi’s move to MLS so captivating. It is not a mere swansong for him to collect a final paycheck. Messi still has his sights set on the Copa America and the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine maestro is far from retirement-ready. He is still a superstar, and based on his track record, he is unlikely to disappoint.
