DailyTransfer

Neither Barça nor Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi chooses Inter Miami!

07/06/23 14:37 by Fabien Borne

Courted in Saudi Arabia and by Barcelona, Lionel Messi has decided to continue his career at Inter Miami, according to several corroborating sources.

With his contract with PSG due to expire on June 30, Lionel Messi had several options on the table to continue his brilliant career at the age of 36. Saudi Arabia and Al Hilal offered him a veritable golden bridge, worth almost 1.4 billion euros over two years.

Barça also wanted him back, but needed to sell players first, as the green light obtained by La Liga yesterday was not enough. Finally, the last option was Inter Miami, who had been courting him for some time and who also made him an attractive economic offer, with the help of Apple and Adidas.

Barça needed time, Messi needed guarantees

This Wednesday, renowned Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, who wrote Lionel Messi's biography in 2013, announced on Twitter that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner had made up his mind and decided to join MLS side Inter Miami. A destination favoured by the player's wife, according to some sources.

Since yesterday, the Catalan press had been very pessimistic about a return for their number 10, explaining that Barça needed time to present La Pulga with a serious offer. The Argentine, distrustful of Joan Laporta after the 2021 episode, wanted guarantees and a quick decision this week.

In recent hours, several media outlets, including The Athletic and L'Equipe, have confirmed that Inter Miami are now the clear favourites. A number of Argentinian journalists have also been confirming this since last night, including Hernan Claus of the Olé newspaper, who recently interviewed the player.

Lionel Messi is expected to officially announce his choice shortly, probably via his Instagram account.

FC Barcelona Al Hilal Inter Miami