Lionel Messi's Crazy Contract Details with Inter Miami, Revealed

Lionel Messi is going to America! The Argentinian has picked MLS side Inter Miami over Saudi Arabia and a return to FC Barcelona. As it turns out, he was given a very lucrative contract.

So, how much is Lionel Messi's contract with Inter Miami worth?

According to ESPN, Messi going to the United States to play is going to be the largest signing in the league's history and will dwarf those of David Beckham and Pele. This would also be the first time Messi has played for a team from the Americas since leaving Argentina for Barcelona as a teen.

That is not all, though, as Messi has the option to be a part-owner of Inter Miami, and terms include a cut of the revenue that the team gets from new Apple TV MLS season subscribers.

The exact amount Messi would be getting is still not revealed, though reports indicated that he was offered a large amount to play in Saudi Arabia, where rival Cristiano Ronaldo is currently playing. His father, Jorge Messi, who is also his agent and manager, was also in talks with his former team, FC Barcelona, where his professional career began.

Reasons Why Lionel Messi Chose Inter Miami Over FC Barcelona or Saudi Arabia

Even though Saudi Arabia offered him a ton of money, and a return to FC Barcelona would give him more familiarity, Lionel Messi chose to do what soccer greats like David Beckham and Pele did, and go to the US and maybe help spread the popularity of soccer there.

Sports Illustrated pointed to several possible factors why Messi went with Inter Miami. The first factor may be to establish his legacy in the United States, where soccer is not as popular as American football, basketball, baseball, or even ice hockey. Together with Canada and Mexico, the US will be hosting the 2026 World Cup, and defending champion Argentina's captain playing there promises to be a big draw too.

There is also the fact that his family might prefer living in Miami, where they are pretty much free to do whatever they want, rather than in Saudi Arabia, which is not really known for how free its people are. He might also want to go into possibly lucrative deals with the major backers of MLS, which are Apple and Adidas.

FC Barcelona Wishes Lionel Messi the Best of Luck

As for FC Barcelona, the team would have to settle with the man who was once their biggest player, not coming back for a final run. The team's official website recently released a statement in English, breaking the club's silence on the Messi issue.

The team stated that club President Joan Laporta has already been informed of the Argentinian's decision and has understood and respected it. The website also noted that Laporta and Messi's father, Jorge, have "agreed to work together to promote a proper tribute from Barça fans to honor a footballer who has been, is, and always will be beloved by Barça."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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