After a high-profile two-year spell with Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine star did not return to FC Barcelona and instead embarked on a new chapter in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami CF in the United States.
Lionel Messi stunned fans worldwide on June 7 by revealing that his time with Barcelona had come to a close after an unsettled period with PSG, and by confirming his forthcoming move to the MLS. He left PSG after formalizing the termination of his contract and took a nearly month-long break before landing in the United States on a Tuesday in early July to join the Florida club and begin a fresh chapter in North American soccer.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SIGN MESSI FOR INTER MIAMI
Messi joined a club owned by a high-profile sports figure as a free agent after leaving PSG, which meant the club did not incur a transfer fee for securing the star. The arrangement signaled a landmark moment for Inter Miami and for MLS, reinforcing the league’s growing appeal to world-class talents. The decision also ensured that Messi would not be returning to Barcelona in the near term, and it opened up new possibilities for the sport in North America, while not ruling out other exotic destinations that have attracted other big-name players in the past.
As a result, the move marked a decisive shift away from a return to Barcelona and away from speculative paths to leagues in the Middle East for the immediate future. Instead, the focus turned to a fresh challenge in MLS and a new chapter in the U.S. soccer landscape.
FOR HOW MANY YEARS DOES MESSI SIGN A CONTRACT IN THE MLS
Within 48 hours of settling into his new home in Miami, a residence he had arranged in anticipation of this possibility, Messi signed a contract with Inter Miami on an agreement spanning three years. The deal runs through mid-2026, aligning with the North American summer schedule and the broader build-up to international tournaments hosted on the continent. The arrangement includes potential exit clauses in 2024 and 2025, allowing both sides to reassess and decide whether to continue the partnership beyond the initial term.
The contract structure reflects a balance between immediate impact and long-term growth for the club, the league, and the player as they navigate the evolving landscape of professional soccer in North America.
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL MESSI MAKE AT INTER MIAMI
Official contract figures were not disclosed, and reporting on the topic has suggested a substantial salary in the vicinity of tens of millions of dollars per season. In addition to base compensation, Inter Miami was reported to be exploring revenue-sharing arrangements tied to MLS subscriptions and endorsements connected with Adidas, reflecting a broader strategy to maximize Messi’s commercial footprint and the marketability of the club within the league and beyond.
These discussions illustrate how a marquee signing can influence media rights, sponsorship deals, and fan engagement, creating a ripple effect across the sport in the region.
WHAT SHIRT WILL MESSI WEAR AT INTER MIAMI
Messi wore the number 30 jersey during his PSG tenure, but in the United States he reclaimed the number 10, a symbol associated with his most famous years at Barcelona and with the Argentina national team. The No. 10 jersey had been vacated at Inter Miami following a jersey change tied to player movements, making the return of Messi to the iconic number a notable moment for fans and the club alike.
Overall, the arrival of Messi in MLS marked a pivotal moment for Inter Miami and the league, signaling a shift in how American soccer is perceived globally and underscoring the continued appeal of the sport across North America.