Lionel Messi is set to buy 35 per cent of shares in Inter Miami and then join the MLS franchise once his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires in 2023, it has been reported.
The 34-year-old left Barcelona last summer after the Catalan giants were unable to renew his deal due to their on-going financial problems.
Messi signed a two-year contract with PSG, but according to DIRECTV journalist Alex Candal, as quoted by Marca, the Argentina international could soon by plying his trade stateside with Inter Miami in 2023.
Candal added that the Barcelona legend is working on buying the sizeable stake in the club, who have David Beckham as a co-owner.
“Leo Messi is still one of the best players in the world, his skills have not diminished,” Inter Miami co-owner and executive director Jorge Mas told the Miami Herald back in February.
“I believe, and David [Beckham] has a relationship with him, that if he leaves PSG, at the time he leaves PSG we would love to have Messi as a player at Inter Miami and be part of our community.
“Can it happen? We will push. I’m an optimist at heart – can I see it happening? It’s a possibility.”
Messi has previously revealed he could make the move to the US in the future.
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“I always had the dream of being able to enjoy and have the experience of living in the United States, experience what the league there is like, but not yet,” Messi said in an interview with La Sexta’s Jordi Evole in 2020.
Inter Miami were founded in 2018 and are managed by Beckham’s former Manchester United teammate Phil Neville.
The club currently have Gonzalo Higuain and Blaise Matuidi in their ranks, but their contracts are set to expire on December 31.
Messi, who has netted 24 goals in 33 games to help PSG win Ligue 1 this term, could be the next big name to swap European football for MLS it seems.
His former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, who has left Atletico Madrid, has also previously been linked with a move to Inter Miami.
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