2023-07-16 13:21:49
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Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar last year
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Argentine attacking player Lionel Messi has signed a contract with the American soccer team, “Inter Miami”, in a deal that runs until the end of 2025.
The 36-year-old, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, left French champions Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2022-23 season.
“I am very excited to take this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” said Messi, who led his country to World Cup victory in the tournament held in Qatar last year.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said Messi signing the contract was a “dream come true”.
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Messi in the national team’s match against the Netherlands national team in the World Cup in Qatar 2022
“This is a great opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project,” added Messi, who has not previously played for a club outside Europe.
“The idea is to work together to achieve the goals we set and I am so excited to start helping here in my new home,” he said.
And about securing the services of a player who is expected to win another Golden Ball this year, Beckham said: “10 years ago, when I started my journey in building a new team in Miami, I said that I dream of bringing the greatest players in the world to this wonderful city.”
“I wanted players who shared the ambition I had when I joined the Los Angeles Galaxy, which is to help grow soccer’s popularity in the United States and build a legacy for the next generation in the sport we love so much,” he added.
He went on to say: “Today that dream came true. I couldn’t help but be more proud that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, a wonderful person and his beautiful family to our club at Inter Miami.”
“The next stage of our adventure begins here, and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the court,” Beckham concluded.
Messi will be available to play for Miami against Cruz Azul of the Mexican Super League on July 21 in their opening match of the League Cup.
“We are thrilled that the greatest player in the world has chosen Inter Miami and MLS, and his decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our league and our North American sport,” said Don Garber, Commissioner of Elite Major League Soccer.
“We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that Major League Soccer can be the favorite league for the best players in the game. We look forward to seeing his debut for Inter Miami in the Champions League matches later this month.”
Messi won the last of the seven Ballon d’Or awards for best player in 2021 and could win again later this year after leading Argentina to success at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
He scored 32 goals in 75 games for Paris Saint-Germain and finished last season with 16 goals and 16 assists in Ligue 1.
Messi had joined the French team in 2021 after spending 21 years with FC Barcelona.
Messi is considered the record holder for scoring goals in FC Barcelona, where he scored 672 goals with the club and won the Spanish League title 10 times, the Champions League four times and the Spanish Cup seven times.
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