Manchester United and Barcelona have lost the race for the signatures of Lionel Messi on a free transfer this summer, with the Argentine star heading to Inter Miami.
The 35-year-old legend is set to join Inter Miami in a landmark deal for the Major League Soccer after beating off competition from the likes of Al-Hilal, Barcelona, and surprise late contenders Manchester United. That’s according to a stunning report from Fichajes, who stated La Pulga could be poised for one last blockbuster European move, with Manchester United and Barcelona front and centre in the fight to sign him.
Messi’s future has been the talk of the town for a long time now. The 35-year-old star, regarded by many as the greatest player of all time, helped Argentina to World Cup glory. And while this was the ultimate crowning of his legendary career, it seems his playing days remain far from over, producing 21 goals and 20 assists from 40 PSG appearances this season proves the notion.
In many ways, Messi’s two years at PSG have proved largely fruitless—a World Cup triumph, a seventh Ballon d’Or, and some solid personal displays notwithstanding. Indeed, after bidding farewell to his two-year stay at Paris Saint-Germain, which is set to expire this summer, Messi was ready to make one final career move.
That has seen the superstar linked with a variety of different moves. Truth be told, few clubs can either finance a deal or present a package capable of enticing the player.
He was strongly tipped with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in a deal worth an astonishing £320 million a year to the player, with the Middle-East Sheikhs dreaming to bring together the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry one final time.
🚨🚨 BREAKING: Lionel Messi to Inter Miami, here we go! The decision has been made and it will be announced by Leo in the next hours #InterMiami
🇺🇸 Messi will play in MLS. No more chances for Barcelona/Al Hilal despite trying to make it happen.
𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄 𝐆𝐎#Messi #MLS pic.twitter.com/OTYWIlEzNc
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 7, 2023
Barcelona were also rumoured to be keen on bringing their greatest-ever star back to Catalonia. Chances of a romantic Barca return looked very likely after Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, had a meeting with club president Joan Laporta at the latter’s residence earlier this week.
Financing such a deal, however, was much easier said than done for the cash-strapped club, albeit Barça had received La Liga’s approval over their economic feasibility plan.
The report adds that Manchester United also emerged as a surprise contender in the Messi race and were showing interest in bringing the Argentine to Old Trafford. This summer, United could be set for a takeover. And while Sir Jim Ratcliffe seems to be in pole position, Sheikh Jassim has hinted he’s open to going down the Galactico route, having already made inroads about a Neymar move already.
However, those rumours looked non-starter at the surface level given United will likely need to rip up their wage structure if they were to have any chance of signing the superstar and bin the much-publicised Ronaldo rule.
Instead, Inter Miami looks to have won the race to sign the 35-year-old global superstar, which could be construed as a choice made by his family, who, reportedly preferred Miami over the Middle East.
Messi intends to continue playing in order to reach the 2024 Copa America at his best fitness, which could be his last major tournament with the Argentine team. Though his powers are waning as he ages, he remains one of the best footballers on the planet. What a statement signing Messi is for the MLS!
