Lionel Messi 'approves' Inter Miami signing Man City star after Real Madrid defeat

Lionel Messi is reportedly keen on the idea of Inter Miami signing a Manchester City star upon the expiry of his contract this summer.

On Wednesday (11 March), Álvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid side were too good for Pep Guardiola’s Man City, with the 15-time European champions coming out convincing 3-0 winners thanks to a Fede Valverde first-half hat-trick in the first leg of the sides’ Champions League last-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Uruguayan’s heroics have left City with a mountain to climb in next Tuesday’s (17 March) second leg at the Etihad.

And the second leg may prove to be Bernardo Silva’s last Champions League game for City, with Inter Miami reportedly keen on signing the Portugal midfielder when his current contract expires this summer.

As reported by Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, the MLS champions face competition from Juventus and Silva’s former club Benfica, for whom he made three appearances before joining AS Monaco in 2015. Turkish giants Galatasaray are also thought to be keeping tabs on the player’s situation.

Bernardo Silva is out of contract this summer (Credit:Getty)

The 31-year-old has won every major trophy available at City – the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup – and would likely bolster the squads of the three teams reportedly interested in him, given his experience at the highest level.

And Silva’s consistency over the past decade has impressed Inter Miami’s star man, Messi, who has reportedly given the transfer his approval, according to Spanish outlet MARCA.

Speaking in June of 2025, Silva revealed that he knew what the next steps of his career looked like.

“I know what I’m going to do [in the long term], but it’s not the time to talk about that,” Silva said.

“I’m very focused on my season. I’m very focused on performing well for Man City.

“When the time is due I will talk about it. I have one year on my contract so obviously I can leave next season. This season for sure will be at City, I’m going to stay. I’ve had options in the past and this year, like last year, my option is to stay at Man City.”

If Silva were to join Inter he would link up with former Premier League stars Sergio Reguilon and Luis Suarez as well as Messi and ex-Atlético Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.

According to Capology, Silva currently earns £375,000 per week – equal to £19.5 million per year – meaning he would likely have to take a pay cut if he joins Inter Miami, with Messi the club’s current highest-paid player on up to £60 million per year.