Inter Miami’s star Lionel Messi and club co-owner David Beckham are rumored to be aiming to keep Real Madrid veteran Luka Modric in Major League Soccer. The chatter surfaced through statements attributed to Predrag Mijatovic on social media, who has long followed the Croatian playmaker’s career with keen interest. According to Mijatovic, Messi has shown a personal curiosity about Modric and the possibility of him joining MLS, with Modric having already met Beckham for a meal and a personal chat that reportedly weighed on his future choices. He also noted that Modric had attracted offers from several MLS clubs, while a separate report mentioned reported interest from Saudi clubs. Still, Mijatovic emphasized Modric’s current plans to remain in Madrid for the time being, amid ongoing speculation. This framing places MLS in the conversation as a potential next phase for a player who has been central to European football for well over a decade, and it underscores how star power can influence transfer dynamics. These discussions have gathered momentum as both Messi and Beckham have publicly expressed admiration for MLS as a growing destination for elite players, a trend the league has marketed aggressively in recent seasons for expansion and higher competitive standards. The situation illustrates how club ownership and marquee players can shape the options considered by veterans near the twilight of their European careers, and it hints at how MLS could become an appealing long-term home for Modric if the right project materializes. The core message, repeated across several sources, is that Modric remains a Madrid fixture for now, yet the door to the United States could swing open if circumstances align, as noted by sports insiders who track the cross-continental transfer landscape.
Modric has spent 13 seasons with Real Madrid, becoming one of the club’s most enduring figures. In the most recent campaign, the Croatian midfielder took part in 51 matches across all competitions, contributing his customary blend of vision, control, and reliability. His contract runs through the end of the next season, which continues to keep him in the center of transfer conversations as clubs gauge whether his experience can bridge gaps in their current rosters. The longevity and consistency Modric has shown at the highest level over such a long period have reinforced his status as one of the premier midfield progressors of his generation. Analysts and fans alike acknowledge that the decision to extend or adjust his path could hinge on the appeal of a fresh challenge versus the comfort of a familiar environment.
Messi’s journey to Inter Miami began in the summer of 2023 following two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. He arrived in MLS with the weight of a global legacy, and his debut for the club was marked by a stunning free-kick goal, signaling the immediate impact he would have in the league. From that early moment, his impact extended beyond goals alone, as he began shaping the competitive atmosphere around Inter Miami and helping to elevate the profile of MLS on the world stage. While the initial spark of a remarkable scoring run eventually slowed, Messi continued to deliver in important moments and consistently raised the level of performance for his teammates. The club’s performance during his first season reflected the tangible influence of a player who had previously defined the game in Europe and South America, and his presence attracted attention from national team observers, league officials, and fans seeking a more competitive MLS experience.
After an initial period of adaptation, Messi posted 11 goals and 5 assists across 12 league appearances, underscoring his role as a decisive playmaker and finish technician for Inter Miami. On August 20, he claimed his first trophy in American soccer by lifting the Leagues Cup, with Inter Miami prevailing over Nashville in a dramatic penalty shootout lifting the trophy 10-9 after a tightly contested final. That victory added a new chapter to a storied career, illustrating how a player of Messi’s caliber can redefine a club’s trophy trajectory and inspire a broader fan base to engage with the league. The achievement also signaled the growing viability of MLS as a platform for high-stakes competitions and meaningful silverware, further accelerating discussions about how long the Argentine might remain in the United States and what kind of legacy he might leave behind.
In the period surrounding these headline events, observers have noted the evolving landscape of MLS as it continues to attract top talent and expand its competitive horizons. The presence of a player like Messi has reverberated across the league, influencing sponsorship, attendance, and youth development within Inter Miami and beyond. At the same time, Modric’s ongoing status as a Real Madrid cornerstone highlights the delicate balance clubs strike between honoring current commitments and exploring audacious long-term strategies that could involve a reverse migration to MLS under the right conditions. The conversations around Modric, Messi, and Beckham collectively reflect a broader trend: established European stars weighing MLS as a credible destination, motivated by competitive ambition, lifestyle considerations, and the opportunity to be pivotal in a league on the rise. Across the landscape, fans and pundits alike await clearer signals about whether Modric will explore a new chapter stateside, and how Messi’s continued presence (or potential future moves) will shape the next era of Inter Miami and MLS at large.