Lionel Messi shocked football fans when he announced his decision to join Inter Miami in the MLS.
While his imminent PSG exit was on the corner, most thought the footie icon would choose to run out his career in Europe or follow age-old rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, to Saudi Arabia.
In a rather shock move, Messi confirmed his decision to move to the MLS citing his desire for a quieter football environment and the need for him to spend more time with his family.
While his decision to pitch his tent with the Florida-based MLS franchise is understood, David Beckham apparently played a big role in luring Lionel Messi to the MLS.
Three clubs were at the beck of the footie icon while he was gearing up for his PSG exit – Al Hilal, Barcelona, and Inter Miami.
Pundits ruled out Inter Miami in the race to sign Lionel Messi thinking that the 2022 World Cup hero will either pick a big money move to Saudi Arabia or stay in Europe by returning to Barcelona.
Inter Miami were the least likely of destinations for Lionel Messi but it appears David Beckham used his influence and connection to twist the race in his favor.
Confirming his decision to join Inter Miami, Lionel Messi said it is not about the money for he would have moved to Saudi Arabia due to their lucrative offer.
On Barcelona return, the seven times ballon d’Or winner confirmed the La Liga giants wanted him back but he could not return to the club as they are still battling with the same financial issues that led to his departure in 2021.
With the two Al Hilal and Barcelona ruled out, Inter Miami emerged as Leo’s next stop as he approached the twilights of a legendary 19-year-old career in Europe.
However, David Beckham’s role in Messi’s move to the MLS cannot be overemphasized. The English legend is believed to have pulled the strings with his overarching influence in European football space to make the move happen.
Speaking to The Athletic, David Beckham said Lionel Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami came to him as a shock as well.
“A couple of weeks ago, I woke up to about a million messages on my phone.
“I was thinking, ‘What’s gone off? I don’t usually get this many messages’.
“All of a sudden, I hear Leo has come out and announced he’s coming to Miami. Obviously, it wasn’t a surprise to me.
He, however, made a subtle reference to the role he played in making the move possible.
“I have always said, from the word go, that if I had the opportunity to bring the best players in the game to Miami, at whatever time of their careers, I would do that. I have always made that commitment to our fans.
“So when I hear that one of the best players — if not the best player — who has won everything in the game, who is still a great player, still young and still doing what he’s doing, wants to play for my team, it’s a massive moment for us.”
An interesting twist to Leo’s big switch to Inter Miami is that the move happened few days after David Beckham touched down PSG training ground in Paris in April and met with the players, including Lionel Messi.
It is believed a behind-the-scene meeting between David Beckham and Lionel Messi must have been the tie-breaker on the race to sign legendary playmaker.
Lionel Messi will officially be unveiled as Inter Miami player on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. He joined the club on a two-year contract with an estimated annual salary of $50m to $60m.
Messi will make his debut for the club on July 21 against Cruz Azul. He will reunite with his former manager at Barcelona and countryman, Gerardo Martino, who has been appointed new manager of Inter Miami following the sack of Phil Neville.
