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Soccer | June 8, 2023
Lionel Messi recently turned down the most lucrative contract in soccer history from the Saudi Pro League and is moving to MLS side Inter Miami. I didn’t bet on it, did you?
But what’s so special about Miami, Florida? Well, tropical temperatures, palm trees, pristine beaches, endless bikini babes, and his face flaunted across Art Deco architecture, to begin with.
I just saw Messi at the Miami beach 🏖 pic.twitter.com/gvTfyAIogc
— 4LyF Son Finisher 🧢 💙 (@4lyf_sonSm) June 7, 2023
Ok, in all seriousness, there’s a multitude of reasons why the latest soccer transfer news is filled with Messi to Miami content, and nobody is proclaiming he’s interested in the aforementioned positives of Miami; besides us, we’re just speculating.
Many retired Americans choose Miami as their destination. But it won’t be shuffleboards, beach days, and cocktails for Messi, the World Cup winner is resuming his pro soccer career with Inter Miami CF.
So why did the Argentinian superstar pass up the most lucrative contract in soccer history to compete for a struggling MLS squad? It’s pretty simple: He’s considered more than a fat salary.
🗣️ Lionel Messi: “I’m at a moment where I want to break away a little, think more about my family. The last two years haven’t been that good for my family. It was a difficult two years for me in general.
These were two years in which I was not happy, I did not enjoy myself, and… pic.twitter.com/qGtojOjil7
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 7, 2023
There’s no doubt Messi has considered his family’s future – what a sweetheart – and hasn’t entirely focussed on the monetary gains. Some should take a page from his book, *cough* Ronaldo *cough*.
However, there’s more to his Inter Miami than meets the eye. He’s always wanted a position on the owner’s box, and soccer rumors have suggested he’ll be given this opportunity in the MLS – if not instantly, then eventually.
Considering Beckham competed for LA Galaxy for five years and now owns an MLS club should raise Messi’s hopes of buying into the league.
Messi additionally wants to cuddle his brand deals with Adidas and Apple, both of whom have strong connections to the MLS and will unquestionably make huge gains from the soccer god playing in the United States.
But aside from the money-making motives, we can assume the money in Saudi or the history of Barca perhaps couldn’t match what Miami means to Messi.
Messi 2 weeks into being in Florida 😭 pic.twitter.com/BwgUN0bvBm
— Jay Wimbrow (@jay_wimbrow) June 7, 2023
He vacationed in South Florida in 2021, and the trip made such an impression that he purchased a $9 million condo. Not forgetting the Latino influence, as Miami is one of America’s largest Latino populations.
There are countless reasons why Messi could have chosen the Magic City. I’m just happy he isn’t accepting a position in Saudi Arabia, also known as the controversial kingdom. No ‘sportswashing’ human rights records with Messi; you’ll have Benzema and Ronaldo for that.
Messi can raise his sons in a city he evidently loved before Beckham and company approached him. All while continuing to live a privileged life in the sun, with less scrutiny from the soccer news organizations and potential financial gains that could last for decades to come.
