Going on two years since his magnanimous decision to join MLS and Inter Miami, it’s clear Lionel Messi made the right choice.
When Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, he swept the United States with “Messi Mania.”
He opted for the David Beckham-backed Miami over Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal, causing a stir in the footballing world. The script, from a Saudi perspective at least, was meant to be the last dance for Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo, who made a high-profile move to Al-Nassr months earlier.
While many were excited for the two iconic superstars to once again be in the same league, Messi went Stateside instead. He joined Miami on the back of carrying Argentina to a World Cup triumph, which was surprising given the links to Saudi Arabia and even a move back to Barcelona. Why choose to join a struggling MLS side instead of the club he loves or where all the money is?
Fast forward a couple of years and we start to learn the answer. Messi became the biggest thing to happen to American soccer, ever. Period. Forget Pele or Franz Beckenbauer or even Beckham. A player like Messi, who was still showing top level form, joining the league was colossal and made everything Inter Miami did, and still do, newsworthy.
Before Messi joined Inter Miami, the club was toiling at the bottom of the MLS table, and was coached by Phil Neville. Since Messi has suited up in Miami pink, the club won the Leagues Cup and a Supporters’ Shield, breaking the record for most points in a single season.
Sure, he’s has had help in the forms of Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez, but none of them join Miami without Messi. The Barcelona reunion only adds to Messi’s late career enjoyment — wouldn’t you love to bring some of your best friends to the same club and have a bit of fun in your twilight playing days? The band is back together, and Messi is reaping the benefits both personally and professionally.
The instant success and God-like status Messi has in the city and country give the gratification that he has made the right choice. And, at this stage, these two trophies are more meaningful in the general context of the sport than a trophy in Saudi Arabia. MLS is currently much more established across the globe than the Saudi Pro League, albeit the gap is closing. Messi’s move to Miami accelerates the growth of the game in the States tenfold.
Messi is loving life in the U.S., it seems. He’s featured in Super Bowl ads and partnered with Apple, who as the broadcast partner for MLS also had a big involvement in his deal joining Miami, too. Money was never a worry for Messi and clearly wasn’t the motivation to pick Miami over Al-Hilal. When you have mega sponsorship contracts with adidas, Apple, and Michelob, among many others, you’re able to turn down a reported $1.6 billion. Plus, his MLS contract is no slouch either, as he’s receiving revenue sharing from Apple and adidas, and equity in Inter Miami, on top of his salary and signing bonus.
I’m not here saying Messi is a beacon of perfect ethics, however. Despite turning down Al-Hilal’s massive offer, it’s clear that it wasn’t due to political and humane reasons, as he’s an ambassador for the Saudi Arabian tourism board — a position that’s earning him millions of dollars per year.
But in terms of his career in the sport, it was the right decision because when we look back on his legacy and see an MLS finish, it won’t be tainted by the “he only went there for the money” schtick.
And yes, I am aware he signed for PSG, who are notorious for frivolously throwing money around, but context is crucial in that notion, too. A nearly bankrupt Barcelona were, on the surface, forced to sell Messi.
Allegedly, he offered to play for free or reduced wages, but league rules did not allow him to and Barcelona still couldn’t afford to keep him. In come PSG, a team looking to push for the Champions League and who at the time already had Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Was the PSG move for money? Not entirely. The Saudi move, however, would have been.
All in all, the move from PSG to MLS was a good one for both Messi and soccer. More and more eyes are on the league thanks to this deal. Inter Miami are even involved in the Club World Cup, a privilege that was arguably earned solely because of Messi.
Regardless of what camp you’re in, Messi’s sensible sporting move to Miami is providing dividends, and from a neutral, casual fan perspective, it was a fantastic decision. Me, being the romantic I am, was praying for a return to Argentina post-World Cup victory, either Newell’s Old Boys or Boca. The pure joy I’d get from that would be incredible. There is still time, though…
