Lionel Messi set to join Inter Miami next season

Lionel Messi could be plying his trade in MLS next year with Inter Miami close to agreeing a deal with the Argentine superstar.

The David Beckham co-owned Miami based franchise are confident that the 35-year-old will sign the deal after the World Cup in Qatar.

Should Messi agree to sign on the dotted lines, the left footed diminutive Paris St Germain forward will become the highest paid player in the history of the MLS.

Inter Miami are also exploring the possibility to sign two of Messi’s closest friends and former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas.

Inter Miami meet Messi’s father Jorge

It was earlier reported that brothers Jorge and Joe Mas who co-own the club are leading the negotiations to bring the Argentine and have already had numerous meetings with Messi’s father Jorge.

The Athletic had earlier reported that club are confident that Messi will sign a contract in the next few months.

French outlet RMC Sports however revealed that Messi’s entourage have denied any talks with the MLS club.

The 7 times Ballon D’Or winner’s contract with PSG is set to expire at the end of the current season but it is expected that the French giants will push hard for a contract extension.

Barcelona are also interested in bringing back their favorite son at the Camp Nou.

Beckham has huge ambitions

Beckham had earlier spoken about the club’s huge ambitions and head coach Phil Neville also confirmed the side’s desire to sign Messi.

There have also been talks before the World Cup that the deal will also see the Argentine buy 35% stakes of the club.

Neville who guided Inter Miami in the 2022 play-offs had said, “This club will always want to bring a superstar to Miami, and a lot of top players want to come here because of where we are.”

There is thus no surprise with the latest developments as Messi enjoys holidaying in Miami with his family and owns a home in the city.

The Argentine super star had earlier said in an interview with Spanish outlet La Sexta, “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.”

It is believed that Beckham’s influence is a key part of the deal with the former English captain having a cemented a long-term relationship with Messi through their long association with Adidas. Beckham is also an ambassador of the Qataris for the World Cup and are the owners of PSG.

Should Messi join the MLS, he will follow the footsteps of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Thierry Henry, David Villa and more recently Zlatan Ibrahimovic to play in the United States.