Lionel Messi is moving to Inter Miami in the USA

This was reported on Wednesday by the BBC, Sports Illustrated and the Spanish newspaper “Sport”. It had previously become known that a transfer to Al-Hilal was “out of the question” for the record world footballer. Major League Soccer and Miami, co-owner David Beckham, have apparently won the race against Messi’s former club FC Barcelona.

The US league had become very creative with its calls, an MLS representative told the sports portal “The Athletic” in advance. The MLS offer to Messi therefore includes payments from the two largest league sponsors, the technology giant Apple and Adidas. A loan arrangement with Messi’s heart club Barcelona would also be possible due to the different seasons. The MLS has its season break in winter.

The MLS and the tech giant Apple want to offer Messi a share of the streaming revenues. Apple and MLS signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion deal earlier this month. The MLS receives a flat fee of about $200 million per year from Apple until it reaches a certain number of subscriptions, and then gets a share of the revenue from those subscriptions. This may now also apply to Messi himself.

Apple also announced on Tuesday that it would broadcast a four-part documentary series covering Messi’s five World Cup appearances. Adidas, one of the biggest MLS sponsors, is said to be preparing its own agreement. They offer Messi a profit-sharing deal with the sportswear giant. Messi already has a lifetime contract with the German company. He already owns a property (last rented) in Miami.

On Monday, a short video in Spain fueled speculation that Messi, who will soon be 36, would return to Barcelona. Sports journalist Toni Juanmartí posted footage on Twitter showing Messi’s father and manager Jorge entering the home of Barça club boss Joan Laporta on Monday. But nothing will come of it – mainly because of the financial fair play rules in Spanish football.

After two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, the seven-time world footballer is leaving the French champions in the summer. The Argentine’s contract expires on June 30, with Messi moving on a free transfer. According to media reports, the Saudi club Al-Hilal offered Messi an annual salary of well over 300 million euros.

The offer from the USA of 54 million dollars (50.5 million euros) per year, which was once rumored to be based purely on the regular salary, sounds comparatively modest. But even before his move to Paris, the rumor had spread that Messi would also be guaranteed club shares if he signed for Miami.

If the deal goes through, Messi will play outside of Europe for the first time in his glittering professional career. As a 13-year-old, he once moved into the Barca academy “La Masia” and from then on conquered world football. With 672 goals, Messi is the all-time leading goalscorer in Spain.

In France, “La Pulga” (the flea) was not happy. The PSG Ultras chalked up the early failure of the nouveau riche club in the “premier class” to Messi in particular, who was often whistled at by his own fans recently. He has scored 32 goals and 35 assists in 74 competitive games for Paris.