Inter Miami 'expect' to sign Argentina star Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is a man in form for Paris Saint-Germain this season. The Argentine currently has seven goals and 10 assists in just 12 matches in Ligue 1. 

With Messi’s contract at PSG set to expire at the end of the season, there is a lot of speculation on his future. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic: “Reports suggest PSG will push hard to extend his contract. He has also been linked with Inter Miami CF and a return to Barcelona.

“The most advanced of those options is understood to be Inter Miami, to the extent that the Major League Soccer franchise now expect Messi to arrive and hope he will sign in the coming months.”

Inter Miami have also been linked with Cristiano Ronaldo, and the prospect of seeing both these two greats lining up together in MLS would be very exciting. If either of these two players were to sign, it would be up there with the signings of Pele to the New York Cosmos and David Beckham to LA Galaxy in terms of how it would boost the league. 

Inter Miami are aiming for the transfer of Lionel Messi

However, Messi is 35 – two years younger than Ronaldo – and as he is still proving he can perform for one of Europe’s top sides, it may be too early for him to make his move stateside. 

Messi has won everything at club level, including four Champions League titles with Barcelona. A return to his old club would be emotional, especially as he did not leave in the best way without a big send-off. 

The big title that eludes Messi is being a World Cup winner. He has won the Copa America but to be considered perhaps the best player of all time, many people believe he needs to win the tournament in Qatar this year. It is likely to be his last World Cup, as by the time the next one comes around he will be 39. 

At PSG the ambition is to win the Champions League with the side for the first time. However, if Messi wins the World Cup this year his ambitions may change. He will no longer be the player who needs to prove anything, and a move stateside would be what he deserves. Of course, PSG has qualified for the knockout rounds of the Champions League this season, but anything can happen in the two-legged games. 

Joining Inter Miami would be massive for the franchise. Their most recent star player Gonzalo Higuain has now retired, leaving a designated player space for Messi. Phil Neville’s side lost to New York City in the playoffs this season and with Messi on their side, they would no doubt have a stronger campaign. 

Beckham’s side has ambitions of attracting the biggest names to the club and just as the former England captain did, Lionel Messi would absolutely boost the profile of MLS. Players such as Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robbie Keane all followed Beckham to LA Galaxy and if Messi joined the Herons, who knows how many other big stars will follow.