Inter Miami fuel reports of Messi free transfer

FT Desk

• 8 Nov 2022 15:29 GMT
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi has been linked with a sensational switch to David Beckham's Inter Miami. And now the MLS club have spoken up about a potential move.

Messi is into his second season at Paris Saint-Germain after arriving on a free-transfer from his long-time employers Barcelona last summer with the Blaugrana €1.35 billion in debt.

After a difficult first season in the French capital, Messi has been posting the numbers of old this term, with 12 goals and 14 from 18 games at all competitions plundered at a rate of one every 60.8 minutes he has played.

READ: Why Lionel Messi to Inter Miami makes perfect sense

But the Argentine is out of contract at the end of this season and missed PSG's 2-1 win over Lorient on Sunday with an eye on the upcoming World Cup in Qatar - both things that have fuelled speculation he is soon to leave the Parc des Princes.

While Barcelona have been quite public about their desire to see their former talisman playing for them again, Inter Miami - another potential destination - have stayed quiet, until now.

'Messi changes everything'

"I knew Messi would come up!" said sporting director Chris Henderson when fielding questions from reporters. "It's great to be connected with amazing players and have our club connected with him.

READ: Lionel Messi at PSG: Goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2022-23

"I don't want to comment on someone who's not on our roster and speculation and rumours, but he's one of the greatest players to have ever played the game. Messi on any team in the world is going to change that team. I don't want to speculate and talk about him on our team, but he changes every league and every team that he plays for.

"It comes down to what is the character of the player? What is his motivation to come to the league? The balance between older players in this league and younger players, it comes down to that motivation, the fitness level of the player, why he's coming and then being able to integrate him into what you're doing as a club and where you're going."

Messi's former Argentina teammate Gonzalo Higuain was Inter's highest-paid player on €5.2 million per year before calling time on his career in October. Messi currently earns €64.6m with PSG.