Messi In Miami

Reports State Leo Messi Will Leave PSG for MLS’s Inter Miami in 2023

For the last 15 years, the football world has been dominated by two men, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite most fans debating heavily on which player is better, it would be difficult to find someone who doesn’t think both players aren’t some of the best the sport has ever seen. Their incredible scoring rates, individual achievements, and team trophies won speak for themselves. 12 of the last 13 Ballon d'Or, an award by the French magazine French Football for the best footballer of the year, has gone to either Messi or Ronaldo. Unfortunately, we may be seeing the end of an era.

Despite scoring almost 20 goals in 30 Premier League games in a lacklustre Manchester United squad, many agree that Cristiano Ronaldo is showing signs of slowing down for the first time in his career. With Messi’s 11 goals and 13 assists in his first 33 appearances with PSG, the same could be said for Messi. Although both players are having fantastic seasons in their respective leagues, it’s not quite the standards that we’ve become used to for both these superstars. With Ronaldo being 37 and Messi turning 35 in June, retirement could be coming around the corner.

Last summer, Ronaldo returned to the club where he won his first trophies, Manchester United, for a two-year contract. Although the first season at United didn’t go as planned, Ronaldo appeared to be content with his return, despite the challenges. It would be a surprise to see him leave before the end of his contract. When he does eventually depart England, most football fans see him returning to his boyhood club Sporting Lisbon or making his way over to the MLS where he can sign an enormous contract and earn millions through brand deals in the North American market which is desperate for sports superstars. For now, that is all speculation.

However, the story is different for Messi. Despite winning Ligue 1, PSG’s season has been a disappointment following the Round of 16 loss to Real Madrid in this year’s UEFA Champions League campaign. Although Messi seems to have enjoyed his time in Paris, it’s not quite the same feeling as Ronaldo returning to Manchester. Messi was forced out of Barcelona due to financial restrictions placed on the club after going into billions of debt. With one year left on his contract with PSG, most fans and insiders see him leaving the club at the end of next season. A return to Barcelona isn’t out of the question, certainly not for Messi who has stated his desire to return to the club someday. However, reports have now come out that Messi is eying a move to David Beckham’s MLS club, Inter Miami in 2023. The report did not include any salary details but did mention that Messi would acquire 35% of Inter Miami shares.

Beckham’s football project has seen its ups and downs in its brief, 3-year history. Despite finishing 19th and 20th in their first two MLS seasons, Inter Miami has moved forward by signing stars such as Gonzalo Higuaín and Blaise Matuidi, and head coach Phil Neville. Furthermore, they recently had a lease agreement approved to build a new, 25,000 seat stadium in Miami.

Although the reports were denied by Messi’s representatives, the deal is still an option for the GOAT and only time will determine where Messi decides to play his final years in football.

Published: May 20, 2022 - Issue 39 of The Sport Marketeer