World Champion Lionel Messi decides to join Inter Miami, chooses MLS Side over Barcelona, Al Hilal

Lionel Messi is widely recognized as the greatest player to ever step foot on a football pitch, dominating European football since the second he stepped foot on the pitch on that day in Barcelona in 2003 against Inter in a friendly but his first team debut would happen in In October 2004, Messi made his official debut for the first team against RCD Espanyol, becoming the third-youngest player to play for FC Barcelona, that day in started one of Barcelona's greatest player's storyline, Messi would make over 700 appearances, score over 600 goals, and assist over 260 goals in his Barcelona career, Barcelona still await his return after his departure in 2021 due to Barcelona's financial woes. He would later transfer to Parisian giants PSG where he had not a very stellar time in comparison due to his standards.

Lionel Messi will leave European Football in 2023, with the former PSG and Barcelona man deciding to join MLS side Inter Miami after leaving Paris on a free transfer, Lionel Messi made the announcement public about his next club in an interview with Spanish reporting company Mundo Deportivo and Sport. MLS later confirmed the deal on social media.

Lionel Messi, the 2022 world champion had the possibility of returning to Barcelona or going to Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal but Messi in the end decided the Inter Miami CF was the best opportunity for himself and his family and that is why he decided to choose Miami as his next club.

"I have made the decision that I am going to Miami. I still don't have it agreed upon 100 percent and a few things are needed, but, well, we decided to continue my path there," Messi said.

"After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the league of the United States to live football in another way and to enjoy the day-to-day more. Obviously, with the same responsibility and desire to play well and do things well as always. But in a calmer way." It was also confirmed by ESPN that a cut of revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV's MLS Season Pass streaming service was part of negotiations. Any agreement involving Lionel Messi and Adidas would strictly be between the player and the company and wouldn't directly involve MLS.

The league office issued a statement on Lionel Messi's move to the American league, "We are pleased that Lionel Messi has stated that he intends to join Inter Miami and Major League Soccer this summer," MLS said in a written statement. "Although work remains to finalize a formal agreement, we look forward to welcoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time to our League."

After it had become public that Messi would deny Al-Hilal and Barcelona, Barcelona came out with a statement regarding the decision. Barcelona would wish the superstar the "best of luck".

"Jorge Messi, the player's father and representative, informed Club President Joan Laporta of the player's decision to join Inter Miami, despite having been presented with a proposal from Barça, in consideration of the desire of both FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi for him to once again wear blaugrana," Barca said in a statement.

Lionel Messi had been presented an offer from FC Barcelona but chose Miami over the Spanish Giants.

The Spanish Giants revealed the intention to work with Messi in the future "to promote a proper tribute from Barça fans to honor a footballer who has been, is, and always will be beloved by Barça."

Messi has not been given a fair farewell, and as the greatest player of the generation, he deserves one. Barcelona will do the best they can to give Messi the tribute he deserves at the Nou camp.

Inter Miami signing Messi is probably the biggest signing in the history of the MLS, the only signing that comes close is that of David Beckham, the current owner of Inter Miami. Messi's commitment to join Inter Miami may prove to be huge for the Miami squad as they sit in last place of the MLS Eastern Conference.

Barcelona have publicly stated their desire for Messi to return to the club, but sources told ESPN's Jordi Blanco has said that despite Barca's efforts to adjust their payroll to make the move work financially, Messi opted not to wait any longer and ruled out his former club as a destination for next season.

Messi did want to be in the same situation as when he left, he didn't want for Barcelona to remove players from the squad or remove their salary.

Messi began his career at Barcelona, being a product of the widely known Barcelona Youth academy, La Masia. By the time Messi was finished at Barcelona he was their greatest ever player when he would finish with over 700 appearances, score over 600 goals, and assist over 260 goals in his Barcelona career, Lionel was the first La Masia player to be awarded The Ballon D'or. As well as the FIFA World Player award, for the best footballer in the world.

However just as anything is in Sports, nothing lasts forever and due to a horrific economy and financial crisis the catalan club was unable to keep Messi under their payroll and renew his contract, and in 2021 Messi was forced to leave the club. Messi would join Parisian Giants PSG that summer, he would play along side former teammate and Friend Neymar Jr., and superstar Kylian Mbappé.

In Paris just like in Barcelona, not everything was perfect, Neymar and Messi had good chemistry and PSG would win Ligue 1 titles in both season that Messi was there for however they would not be successful in the Champions League with 2 straight round of 16 knockouts, and just like every other PSG side before them it is that one trophy that will always allude the Parisian giants, the Champions League. Messi's time in PSG wasn't all bad because he would end up scoring Messi scored 32 goals in 75 games in all competitions for PSG, as well as recording 35 assists, however towards the end he would be booed by fans and it was just a very sour ending for a short stint in Paris for Lionel.

However, Messi's time in Paris wasn't all gloomy, in December of 2022 he won Argentina's first world Cup in 36 years, the big trophy that had eluded him his whole entire career and while doing that probably he would give us the best World Cup campaign by a player we've ever seen. Messi also won his 7th Ballon D'or, and at this moment is a favorite for winning his 8th, Lionel was also awarded the men's footballer of the year at The Best FIFA Football Awards in February.

Messi decided to join Inter Miami not just because he could not join Barcelona but because joining Inter Miami is also a very smart business decision, he will eventually get part ownership in the club.

Messi's time in Europe was greatly appreciated but just as anything, great things come to an end, every football fan in the world is thankful for the years Messi gave to the footballing world in those 20 years he played in Europe.