Lionel Messi, the “God of Soccer,” is ending his 23-year career in Europe and moving to Miami, USA.

“The transfer is not yet 100% finalized, but I have decided to move to Inter Miami of the American Major League Soccer (MLS),” Messi told Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo on Monday. 메이저사이트

Miami also announced Messi’s arrival on the club’s social media accounts. Miami is based in Miami, Florida, and is co-owned by English soccer star David Beckham.

After joining Barcelona’s youth team in 2000, Messi went on to play in European leagues for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG-France), and now, after 23 years, he’s headed to the United States.

Initially, Messi’s next destination seemed to be his hometown team Barcelona or Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal. However, financially strapped Barcelona was unable to make a move for Messi.

Al-Hilal stepped in. Al-Hilal made an aggressive bid for Messi. Al-Hilal reportedly offered Messi a whopping €400 million in salary.

But Messi’s destination was Miami, who offered him €50 million a year. Miami’s salary was lower than Al-Hilal’s, but it had the advantage of being backed by Apple and Adidas.

According to The Athletic, Apple’s online video service (OTT) Apple TV+ has agreed to give Messi a portion of the revenue from its MLS broadcast package. Adidas, the official sponsor of the MLS and Messi’s sponsor, has also agreed to share revenue from the MLS with Messi.

“It was a choice for my family and my life,” Messi said of his move to Miami, “to play soccer in a new way and enjoy my life more. I’ll still have the same desire to win and do my best, but I want to have a calmer life.”

Meanwhile, Miami is last in the 15-team Eastern Conference with a 5-11 record in 16 games this season. The team was led by former Manchester United coach Phil Neville, who was fired last week. It will be interesting to see if Messi’s arrival can help Miami rebound.