Messi won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and unquestionably cemented himself as the greatest player in the history of football. For the purists, he has reached the same level as Maradona and Pelé.
After his failed transfer to F.C. Barcelona, which would have been the perfect crowning achievement to his flawless career, Messi has decided to take a step towards his sporting retirement by joining a second-tier league like the American one.
Lionel Messi’s debut in the United States is set to take place on Friday, July 21st, and ticket prices have skyrocketed to $110,000, according to a report by CNN.
This comes amidst Apple’s $250 million agreement with Major League Soccer for exclusive live streaming rights of American football matches.
Messi turned down 1.6 billion for three years
With all the European stars retiring in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, Messi had the opportunity to become the highest-paid athlete in history with a three-year offer worth $1.6 billion.
Inter Miami offered a significant amount of money, along with a portion of the club’s television rights (something unprecedented), while Barcelona could barely afford to offer him a modest salary considering Messi’s own stature and market value.
And while the dream return didn’t work out, Messi decided that all the money in the world offered by Saudi Arabia wasn’t worth it, considering his sporting situation and his family.
Choosing Miami, a heavily Hispanic area (and we all know about Messi’s English skills), known for its high quality of life, was a logical decision. We would all have chosen the same. And in the United States, they are thrilled to have Messi in their league. Good luck, dear Leo, and thank you for everything.
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