The foremost soccer player of his generation, and conceivably the most exceptional ever, is prepared to bestow his presence upon the United States during the final phase of his illustrious vocation. Lionel Messi, aged 36, has officially affiliated himself with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer, as declared by the club in a statement issued on Saturday.
His contract binds him to the team until the culmination of the 2025 M.L.S. season.
“I am exceedingly thrilled to embark on this next phase of my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” he conveyed in a statement. “This is an extraordinary opportunity, and together we will continue to cultivate this magnificent endeavor.”
Messi had divulged his intention to play for Miami last month and was spotted shopping with his family at a local Miami grocery store earlier this week.
It is anticipated that he will join the team within the coming week, positioning him to make his debut for Inter Miami in a Concacaf Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul from Mexico on July 21.
A remarkable prodigy during his early years in Argentina, Messi embarked on a journey to Spain at the tender age of 13, joining Barcelona and swiftly establishing himself as a highly esteemed young athlete. Commencing his professional career at the age of 16, he proceeded to craft an extraordinary path, conquering every major competition and clinching an impressive six Ballon d’Or accolades as the preeminent player in the world. In 2021, he transitioned to Paris Saint-Germain, where he added another Ballon d’Or to his collection. However, despite his team’s dominance in the French league, they fell short in their quest for the Champions League.
Since his international debut in 2005, he has been the stalwart of the Argentine national team, and last winter, he clinched the final trophy missing from his collection when he secured the World Cup with his compatriots.
Fans and historians widely concur that his extraordinary prowess as a player is rivaled perhaps only by Cristiano Ronaldo in the current era and by Pelé and Diego Maradona from any epoch.
Messi’s signing brings to fruition what could be deemed as the subtle transformation of Inter Miami into a Barcelona-esque entity that preceded his official arrival. The team’s chief business officer and its top operations and facilities executive both hail from Barcelona. Last month, Inter Miami revealed that Messi’s former midfield companion at Barcelona, Sergio Busquets, would be their second marquee signing of the summer.
Furthermore, two weeks ago, Gerardo Martino, the Argentine known as Tata who had previously coached Messi at Barcelona, was appointed as the coach of Inter Miami. During his introductory press conference, he openly discussed his collaboration with Messi and Busquets, leaving little doubt that he saw his new role as more than a mere reunion.
“At times, the United States and Miami are associated with the notion of vacation,” Martino articulated. “However, this is far from that. We aim to compete.
“These are not players who will come here to simply participate.”
This signing bears resemblance to the events of 2007, when the Los Angeles Galaxy of M.L.S. acquired the world’s most renowned player, albeit not the best, David Beckham, at the age of 32. Beckham spent six years in Los Angeles, securing two championships and catapulting the league to unprecedented exposure.
M.L.S. has long aspired to eventually rival the quality and prominence of the world’s premier leagues. It is hopeful that Lionel Messi’s golden years will help propel it in that direction.