A storm of excitement in America: Messi comes to Miami

Lionel Messi simply called himself. 2018, Messi was still in service Barcelona, the Argentine sent a message to David Beckham. He wanted to congratulate the Englishman on the founding of the Miami football team and at the end said with a smile: “Who knows, maybe someday you will call me.” Five years later, Beckham has clearly followed this up with the ball.

Messi stressed on Wednesday that “there are still some things to settle, it is not 100% clear yet, but we have decided to go on this path.” A road that, contrary to all expectations, did not take the seven-time world footballer to Barcelona or Saudi Arabia lead, but to fl. To Inter Miami, co-owner of Beckham FC.

This caused a storm of enthusiasm in the United States. Noting that Messi’s arrival “will take MLS to the moon, or even beyond,” ESPN wrote, “Maybe one day you’ll be able to tell your grandchildren you watched Messi live.” Three years before the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Messi is supposed to give a new impetus to soccer’s already growing popularity in North America.

Barcelona coach Xavi interacts with understanding

They hoped to promote euphoria in Barcelona. They really wanted to bring the ‘prodigal son’ home after his tearful departure in 2021. Coach Xavi was sympathetic to Messi’s decision on Thursday. “Being a Leo can’t be easy,” said the Spaniard.

At Barcelona, ​​the pressure on Messi would have been “10 out of 10” again, according to Xavi, “he didn’t want that anymore”. However, there was also some disappointment in the statement Barcelona released on Wednesday. President Joan Laporta also “understood and respected” Messi’s decisions to “compete in a league with fewer demands, away from the limelight.”

Messi now wants to live football in a different way

In fact, Miami is currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table in MLS. But Messi made no secret of the fact on Wednesday that he is no longer just about titles and trophies. He said it was time to “live football in a different way and enjoy my daily life more”.

The family with his wife Antonella and their three sons should be the center of attention again, unlike the last time in Paris. Messi revealed that during his two-year spell in France, he was not “happy”. He “missed a lot” of what his children experienced. In Miami, where the family already owns a home, that is set to change again.

Messi might have turned down better offers for that. He said, “If it had been about the money, I would have gone to Saudi Arabia or somewhere else.” But Messi is also said to be doing well financially in Florida: he should earn a total of €200m there in four years. (sir)

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