Why Lionel Messi to Inter Miami makes perfect sense

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 4 min read

While Lionel Messi bangs the goals in for PSG as he enjoys a renaissance in his career, he will have one eye on what is happening with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

His great rival has fallen on some unprecedentedly hard times. Out of favour at Old Trafford, he has just three goals this season, two of them against FC Sheriff and one of those a penalty. Ronaldo was recently booed prior to a clash against the Moldovans at old Trafford.

All of this sounds a warning to Messi that a return to Barcelona is fraught with danger.

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

And yet, it remains a tantalising possibility next season should the Catalans somehow straighten out their finances sufficiently to tease their greatest ever player back to the club two years after he departed.

Messi’s deal with PSG will be up in the summer, and while the indications are that the Ligue 1 champions are eager to keep a player who posts 12 goals and 13 assists for the season within their ranks, it is not a mere formality.

A greater danger to PSG than Barcelona comes in the form of Inter Miami. Indeed, The Athletic reports that the MLS side are leading the way in terms of negotiations for a transfer.

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Messi to Miami is a dream match

There’s a lot to suggest that this move is possible. Messi’s family already own property in the city, while Florida has a massive Hispanic culture that would doubtless be endearing to the player and his family, particularly as they had issues settling in Paris.

In addition to the ease with which the Barcelona legend could settle in his new home, there’s also the legacy aspect of the move. MLS would open its arms to open of the greatest players ever, offering the league the type of exposure it could only have dreamed of prior to the 2026 World Cup.

Messi teaming up with co-owner David Beckham would be a marketing fantasy for the league.

Even the timing might be perfect. All indications are that Messi will not discuss his future until after Qatar 2022. Should Argentina go all the way in the Middle East, it would be perfectly feasible for him to believe he has nothing left to achieve at the top level any longer. Surely an eighth Ballon d’Or would be heading his way at that point – a record that will surely be unassailable.

Indeed, the noises are that the Argentine will move to Inter Miami at some stage or another, it’s just a case of when. Will it be in 2023 or will he continue to treat European fans to his talents a little longer? Either way, Messi to Miami makes a lot of sense.