Lionel Messi set to join new club as dream move falls through
Lionel Messi will join MLS side Inter Miami
PA
World Cup winner Lionel Messi will join American club Inter Miami after his dream of a return to Barcelona fell through.
The 35-year-old, who spent more than two decades at the Nou Camp, will move to Florida's MLS stragglers in a deal which includes collaboration with brands such as Adidas and Apple.
Messi rejected a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal amid speculation about his future away from the French capital.
A move to Saudi Arabia could have seen the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner rekindle his rivalry with former Real Madrid forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Lionel Messi left Paris St Germain after two seasons without European success
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However, Messi was tempted to move across the Atlantic for several reasons, including lifestyle.
Messi, who won the World Cup with Argentina and Ligue 1 with PSG this season, already owns a property in the Magic City.
He was reportedly keen to join former teammate Xavi back at Barcelona but the deal fell through due to Financial Fair Play rules.
The move marks the first time Messi will play outside of Europe since he started his youth career in the late 1990s at Argentinian clubs Grandoli and Newell's Old Boys.
Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar last December
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Messi joined Barcelona's youth set-up at the age of 13 and made his first competitive league start just four years later.
He would later become the record scorer at Spain's second most successful club, netting 672 goals.
Messi won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and seven Spanish Cups.
The 35-year-old left the Nou Camp shortly after guiding La Albiceleste to their first Copa America title in 28-years.
Lionel Messi is considered one of the best footballers ever
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However, Messi's stint at PSG was not an overwhelming success as the giants of French football won two league titles but failed to get beyond the last 16 of the Champions League.
He scored 32 goals in 75 games for PSG and ended the most recent Ligue 1 season with 16 goals and 16 assists.
Inter Miami have had a difficult time in the MLS since their creation in 2018.
The club sit bottom of the eastern conference with just five wins in 16 games.
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