It's official. Lionel Messi has confirmed in a new sit-down interview that he will join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
The 35-year-old Argentine, who was a free agent after spending two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, has been tempted to join the MLS side for a number of different reasons, according to reports.
It is said the South Florida lifestyle was an important factor on top of a deal involving contributions from two of MLS' biggest commercial partners – Apple TV, their current broadcast rights holder – and Adidas, the league's apparel sponsor.
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Adidas is also said to be offering Messi a profit-sharing agreement, which would involve the player receiving a cut of any increase in Adidas' profits resulting from his involvement in America's top division.
Now, the Argentine has spoken to Spanish publications SPORT and Mundo Deportivo about his latest venture.
As translated by Twitter account @barcacentre, Messi said: "I heard that Barcelona had to sell players or lower player salaries and the truth is that I didn't want to go through that.
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"Although I heard that it was said that La Liga had accepted everything and that everything was fine for me to return, there were still many other things that had to happen.
"I really wanted to return, I was very excited to be able to return, but, on the other hand, after having experienced what I experienced when I left, I didn't want to be in the same situation again. I didn't want to leave my future in someone else's hands."
He added: "I will not return to Barcelona, I will join Inter Miami.
"After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barca, it was time to go to the United States to live football in a different way and enjoy more day to day. Obviously with the same responsibility and desire to want to win and to always do things well. But more calmly."
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Messi also opened up on his time at Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain after a "difficult" first year at the Parc des Princes.
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"The truth is that the first year at PSG was very difficult, as I said on some occasions, for different reasons," he said.
"The second year, the first six months I felt very, very good, very comfortable in the club, in the city, with my family. In the middle of the season there was the World Cup and I think the World Cup affected all the teams in general, it affected the season a little bit, with such an important competition in the middle for the first time."
Shortly after the interview emerged confirming the switch, Inter Miami announced the signing of Messi on social media.
Thoughts on the deal? Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: SPORT - transfers/InstagramTopics: David Beckham, Lionel Messi, MLS, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami
