Messi will join Inter Miami, become highest paid MLS player

Lionel Messi told two Spanish sports outlets Wednesday that he plans to sign a contract with Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer team of which David Beckham is part owner. MLS confirmed the move in a statement on Twitter. Both MLS and Messi said the deal has not been finalized, although Inter Miami and MLS have reportedly put together a deal to make Messi the highest-paid MLS player. It also includes part ownership in the club following retirement and endorsement deals with Apple and Adidas. The move comes as his contract with Paris Saint-Germain Football Club ended. He reportedly turned down a $1.6 billion, three-year contract to play in Saudi Arabia. 

Who is Messi? A devout Roman Catholic, the Argentine star started playing at 4. Now, the 35-year-old may well be the world’s best soccer player. He’s a record seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, given annually to FIFA’s top player. In December, Messi also led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup—the only soccer honor he hadn’t received. Following the World Cup win and being named Player of the Tournament, Messi said, “I thank God for giving me everything.”

Dig deeper: Read Ray Hacke’s report in Muse on Argentina and Messi’s World Cup win.