Earlier this week The Athletic reported that Inter Miami is close to signing the Argentinian star at the end of the season. If they can pull this off this will be the biggest signing in MLS history. Yes, even bigger than Beckham to LA Galaxy.
Messi is having his best season in years. He is well settled in Paris now and that can be seen in his play. He is sharper on the ball. He’s dribbling past opponents like they weren’t there and he’s scoring incredible goals again. In short, Messi is back to being the GOAT again. Granted it can be argued that the competition in Ligue 1 is not the strongest, but as the saying goes, you can only beat what’s in front of you. And he’s also showing his quality in the champions league. Because of his form, Argentina is arguably the second favorite for the World Cup, and nobody wants to face PSG in the Champions League now
Beckham will have to do a lot to convince Messi to leave Europe in his current form. Although his contract with PSG expires at the end of the season, the Athletic reports that they suspect that the Paris-based club has an option to extend Messi’s stay with them for one more year, should they choose to activate it. Even if they cannot come to an agreement with Messi, one would suspect that Barcelona has would find one more lever to bring Messi back home. The fact that Pique just announced his retirement today, November 3rd, doesn’t bode well for Inter Miami’s prospect to bring Messi to South Florida. Pique’s retirement will save the Catalan side millions of dollars in wages and bonuses which they can use toward bringing Messi back
But never say never in this sport. The Herons still have a chance. Messi clearly loves spending time in the Sunshine state. He owns the entire 9th-floor penthouse in the Regalia building on Collins Avenue. You would imagine that his family would love to relocate to this side of the world.
Money will not be an objection for Inter Miami. They have a designated position currently open after the retirement of fellow Argentinian Gonzalo Higuain. The entire state of Florida, the City of Miami and the entire MLS organization would be more than willing to move heaven and earth to facilitate this move. But it remains to be seen if they can convince the former Barca star to give up on Europe at a time when it looks like his star could be on the rise again. A world cup trophy and a Champions League medal would practically mean a final Ballon D’Or trophy for him. And it’s hard to imagine him leaving Europe after just winning the most coveted individual award in the game.
But stranger things have happened. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
