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Avid football fans can't help but be captivated by the ongoing saga surrounding Lionel Messi's future. The Argentine superstar, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, finds himself at a crossroads. While his emotional ties to FC Barcelona run deep, the allure of a financial package put together by Inter Miami, Major League Soccer (MLS), and its partners may be difficult to resist.
Reports have been swirling for months about Inter Miami's offer to sign Messi this summer, and it seems they have some enticing incentives up their sleeve. Apple, in particular, has emerged as a key player in the negotiations. With their lucrative 10-year $2.5 billion broadcast deal with the MLS, Apple is reportedly sweetening the pot for Messi. Furthermore, MLS itself has expressed its willingness to offer team ownership incentives, much like they did with David Beckham back in 2007.
While the allure of the MLS deal is certainly strong, Messi has yet to make a decision. According to a league source, it may be another week before he finally comes to a conclusion. The Athletic reported that the MLS offer includes revenue and profit-sharing deals with Apple and Adidas. Notably, the package would grant Messi the option to purchase a percentage of an MLS team once he finishes his time playing in the league.
Messi has a multitude of options on the table. He is considering an emotional return to Barcelona, the club he dedicated more than 20 years of his life to after joining at the tender age of 13. There is also a reported $500 million deal from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. However, the move to MLS and the opportunity to play for Inter Miami seem to be gaining momentum.
Inter Miami's proximity to his vacation home in South Florida, coupled with the desire to experience the Miami lifestyle with his family, has its own appeal for Messi. The club has been actively preparing for his potential arrival, having reserved the iconic No. 10 jersey for him, as well as the No. 5 jersey for his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber has expressed his commitment to helping Miami secure the deal. Drawing on the success of David Beckham's signing with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Garber believes that Messi's arrival in the United States could be unprecedented, elevating him to a status beyond any athlete in American sports history.
It's not just a big move for Messi and Inter Miami; it could also provide a significant boost to U.S. soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The prospect of having Messi on American soil leading up to this prestigious event is undoubtedly exciting.
Despite Barcelona's strong desire to bring Messi back, the club finds itself in financial turmoil. French sports newspaper L'Equipe reported a possible arrangement in which Miami would sign Messi and then loan him back to Barcelona for a period of six to 18 months. This would allow Messi to continue playing at the highest level in Europe until the Copa America 2024, an event to be hosted in the United States, specifically in Miami.
As a football enthusiast, the possibility of witnessing Lionel Messi ply his trade in the United States is thrilling. The decision Messi faces is undoubtedly a difficult one, with various factors at play, from financial considerations to emotional ties. Ultimately, only time will reveal where this footballing maestro will grace the pitch next, and fans across the globe eagerly await his decision.
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