June 21, (THEWILL) – On July 21, football fans around the world will witness the highly anticipated debut of Lionel Messi for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Just weeks ago, the 36-year-old Argentine superstar made headlines with his surprising decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain and join the United States’ premier soccer league, rejecting juicier offers from the Saudi Pro League and potential interest from Barcelona. The move has ignited excitement among MLS supporters globally, who eagerly await the first glimpse of Messi’s extraordinary talent on American soil.
Messi’s contract with Inter Miami spans two and a half years, with the option to extend it until 2026. The deal is expected to make him one of the highest-paid players in the league, with estimations of a staggering $150 million salary. Furthermore, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner stands to benefit from lucrative revenue-sharing agreements with key MLS partners, including tech giant Apple, sporting apparel conglomerate Adidas, and sportswear provider Fanatics.
While initial rumours suggested that Messi’s agreement included the opportunity to own an MLS club after retirement, similar to David Beckham’s deal with Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, recent sources have indicated otherwise. Nonetheless, Inter Miami show no signs of slowing down in their pursuit of top talent, with Spanish icon, Sergio Busquets, a close ally of Messi both on and off the field, among their targets following his departure from Barca at the end of the 2022/2023 campaign.
As the countdown begins, anticipation grows for Messi’s debut with Inter Miami against Mexican side Cruz Azul in a League Cups match. On July 21, fans will witness the start of a new era as Messi aims to leave an indelible mark
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
