![]() “It is also true that later I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league, where I know the country and they have created a very powerful competition that can become an important league in the near future,” Messi says. “I tried to return, and it did not happen.” Saudi Arabia, indeed, was very much in the mix. “My first option was to return to Barcelona, but it was not possible,” Messi says. ![]() He confirms that a Barcelona homecoming was a real consideration. “The truth is that fortunately, I had several options on the table that were interesting, and I had to analyze them and think, even weigh them up with my family, before making the final decision to come to Miami,” Messi tells TIME. (Saudi Arabia is also set to host the 2034 World Cup.) Would he return to Barcelona, the team that signed him as a 13-year-old phenom from Rosario, Argentina? Would he further empower Saudi Arabia, a country that has been accused of “sports-washing” its troubling human-rights record by signing global superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema? After all, Messi was already a tourism ambassador for the kingdom, for which he can earn some $25 million. Then, as his contract with that team wound down, speculation about his future ran rampant. Messi finished his 2022–2023 club season, for Paris St.-Germain (PSG), with 21 goals and 20 assists across all competitions. ![]() Get a print of the Lionel Messi Athlete of the Year cover hereįew could have imagined this scene-the pink sea of fans losing their minds over their new local sensation-seven months earlier as Messi kissed the World Cup trophy, finally securing the ultimate prize that had long eluded him. It was for the future of the game.” Illustration by Neil Jamieson for TIME Trevor Ruszkowski-USSF/Getty Images Megan Briggs-Getty Images Matt Kelley-Getty Images “I remember getting in the car on the way back, and I said to Victoria, ‘I’m not even sure I can drive home,’” Beckham tells TIME. Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham was moved to tears. Messi’s shot continued bending, bending, past the outstretched arms of the diving Cruz Azul goalkeeper, sending the 20,000-plus fans at DRV PNK Stadium-and millions more watching around the world-into absolute hysterics. “You know when you can just feel something?” says Yedlin. The ball left Messi’s left foot, and as the shot began to curl around a wall of a half-dozen Cruz Azul players, Yedlin, who was standing on the field behind Messi, spread his arms in a victory pose. Kim Kardashian and LeBron James were in the crowd that night, but not a soul was looking at them. He already looks like value for money.Messi placed the ball on the grass. Messi signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami that will pay him between $50m and $60m annually – and almost certainly more than $1m a match. ![]() Messi took his seat and watched his new team, in the all-pink jersey, shorts and socks, start his new era. He got a hug and shared a few words with LeBron James – who also knows a thing or two about making a highly celebrated move to Miami, after he joined the Heat in 2010 and won his first two NBA titles in a four-year stay – on his way to the bench. He stopped for a few photos and handshakes as he entered the tunnel leading to the locker room. Messi arrived with the team about two hours before game time, dressed in the team colors – pink T-shirt, black shorts. Team officials said all tickets – about 21,000, in a newly expanded stadium – were sold. But the final act belonged to Messi, a storybook ending if there ever was one. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Ĭruz Azul tied the game shortly after Messi checked in and had plenty of chances to take a late lead. For more information see our Privacy Policy. Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties.
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