Lionel Messi Completes Move to Inter Miami, Set for Unveiling
In a major transfer move, Lionel Messi has officially joined Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami. The club confirmed Messi’s arrival after his transfer was ratified by MLS. The Argentine superstar has signed a contract for two-and-a-half seasons, with an option to extend for an additional year in the 2026 season.
Inter Miami tweeted a video of Messi wearing the No. 10 shirt on Saturday, symbolizing his status as the team’s star player. The club also announced that Messi would be unveiled to fans at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday at 8 pm ET.
Messi expressed his excitement about this new chapter in his career, stating, “I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States. This is a fantastic opportunity, and together, we will continue to build this beautiful project.”
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, who has long dreamed of bringing top players to the club, expressed his delight at Messi’s arrival. “Today that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club,” Beckham said.
The 36-year-old forward decided to move to MLS following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain. Despite interest from his former club Barcelona and Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, Messi chose to join Inter Miami. The deal, which took about a month to finalize, includes an equity offer to Messi. Miami owner Jorge Mas expects the total package to be worth around $50-60 million per year.
Although he has not yet started training, Messi is set to join former boss Tata Martino at Inter Miami. He had spent the past few weeks vacationing with his family in the Bahamas and recently arrived at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on July 11.
The move to Inter Miami is significant not only for Messi but also for MLS as the United States prepares to host the 2026 World Cup. His arrival will undoubtedly raise the league’s profile and attract more global stars in the future.
As for his debut, Messi is expected to be available for selection against Liga MX side Cruz Azul on July 21, in the opening match of the Leagues Cup. Tickets for that game have already sold out, indicating the high anticipation for his first appearance in an Inter Miami jersey.
Messi will wear the iconic No. 10 shirt for Inter Miami, a number he made famous throughout his career with Barcelona and the Argentine national team. Inter Miami purposely left the number vacant all season in the hopes of securing Messi’s arrival.
The negotiations for Messi’s contract were complex due to MLS’s single-entity structure. However, both MLS and Inter Miami were determined to secure the legendary player’s signature. The deal includes an equity stake in the club for Messi and discussions with Apple regarding revenue share on new subscriptions for the MLS Season Pass service.
In terms of earnings, Messi’s deal is worth approximately $50-60 million annually, including his equity in Inter Miami. He will also receive additional income through partnerships with Adidas, as well as compensation from MLS partners.
Inter Miami, founded in 2018, has been competing in MLS matches since 2020. Owned by Jorge and Jose Mas along with David Beckham, the club currently plays at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Plans for constructing a new stadium in Miami have been approved, which will further elevate the club’s profile and provide a state-of-the-art facility for future matches.
With Messi now part of the Inter Miami squad, the club’s ambitions of becoming a major force in MLS have received a significant boost. Fans eagerly await Messi’s first appearance on the pitch and the impact he will make on the team’s performance.