In a monumental move that could alter the course of Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi has decided to sign with Inter Miami.
After days of momentum and a years-long pursuit, MLS and Miami won a three-horse race with Barcelona and Saudi Arabia to sign the world's greatest player.
Messi announced the decision Wednesday in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, which confirmed earlier reports. No contract has yet been signed, and no details have been announced, but it is reportedly a complex 2.5-year deal with a total value well over $100 million.
"I made the decision that I'm going to go to Miami," Messi said in the interview. "I still haven't finalized [the contract] 100% ... But we decided to [take this path]."
In a statement, MLS said that "work remains to finalize a formal agreement," but it concluded: "we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our league." [Reply]
Originally Posted by dlphg9:
Ok, so he's number 3 at worst? You're acting like he's washed up and doesn't have it anymore.
He turns 36 in 2 weeks. Him and Ronaldo are entering their later years like LeBron. Still really good but not dominating like they were 5 years ago. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Rain Man:
If Mahomes ever went slumming and played soccer, he would make people forget about this guy in his first season.
I'm assuming you're just playing a bit here, right?
While Mahomes IS a god......other sport skills are not quite as transferrable to soccer.
As someone who played baseball, basketball and competitive flag football into their late 40s....I can assure you that walking onto a soccer field (without decade(s) of learning/practice), you're NOT going to be a Messi (nor a Pulisic for that matter).
It's just different.
Now, if you say, Tyreek is going to train for 5-10 years dribbling, passing, shooting, ok....MAYBE a chance to make a MLS team....but again, different.
Though that said, I could see taller wide receivers becoming a goalie fairly quick (as long as they dont have to pass with their feet). [Reply]
The only reason he went to PSG is because Barcelona was having financial issues with La Liga (which is the Premier of Spain for those that dont know). This allowed him to take a backseat to Mbappe on that team and prep for the WC. It wont surprise me that he is doing the same with the MLS... he can be great, AND keep fit without exerting himself. I do wonder if this allows him to try it one more time in the 2026 WC. This does give him and his body a chance.
Messi plays a completely different position than any of those players even mentioned. Cristiano / Haaland / Benzema / Mbappe are TRUE Strikers. Messi is a Midfielder that uses the RW to provide the Strikers the best possibilities AS well as scoring Goals.
In 2022-2023 in all competitions with Argentina and PSG he finished with 37 Goals and 25 Assists in 53 games. (62)
Haaland finished with 58 goals and 10 assists in 58 games. (68) (With Man City / Norway)
Mbappe finished with 51 goals and 11 assists in 55 games (62) (With PSG / France)
He is better than both of them, because he provides others the chance to finish, AND he finishes his opportunities that he creates himself. He makes everyone around him better. [Reply]
Since turning 30 at the start of the 2017/18 season, Lionel Messi has been directly involved in more league goals than any other player in Europe's top five divisions.
Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88:
Youth soccer participation has never resulted in soccer becoming a mainstream spectator sport in America.
The soccer zealots should just accept that soccer will never be anything more than a niche spectator sport in this country… at best on par with hockey and the NHL.
Pele played professional soccer in America, Beckham played in the MLS… it never results into anything more than a novelty act/temporary spike in interest among general sports fans.
A lot of that is because the average sports viewer is like 60 years old. Soccer growing in popularity will have more to do with the next generations and what they watch, if they watch at all honestly.
Young people not really watching sports is a big reason baseball is having problems. [Reply]
Dude wants legacy… and coming to the MLS will give him that. He is already loved in Asia and in the Middle East - and this is an untapped market. His valuation will soar. [Reply]