ISLAMABAD: Argentina legend Lionel Messi will join US club Inter Miami after his exit from French champions Paris St-Germain.
The former Barcelona forward star is likely to reject a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
The Miami agreement includes collaboration from brands like Apple and Adidas.
Messi, 35, received the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player 7 times and is likely to win it later this year after World Cup victory.
This is the first time Barcelona superset Messi has played outside Europe.
Messi was trying to remain in Europe for another season but, after the absence of satisfactory offers, he had the straight choice between Al-Hilal or Inter Miami.
He was heavily pursued to be favour moving to Saudi Arabia, where he would have joined Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo in the league in an agreement that could not be matched financially.
Lionel Messi tempted Inter Miami
But Messi was ultimately tempted to Major League Soccer club Inter Miami for a variety of causes including lifestyle, and an agreement with big brands that extends beyond football.
The footballer already owns a big house in Miami, which he rents out.
He wanted to return to Barcelona this summer but the Financial Fair Play limitations that will be in place for the upcoming season in La Liga made it impossible.
Paris St-Germain won Ligue One in both his seasons at the outfit but went out in the Champions League last sixteen, which means his time in France was not deemed as a huge success.
He scored 32 goals in 75 matches for the club – and ended this season with sixteen goals and sixteen assists in Ligue One.
Messi’s 2-year contract comes to an end this summer and both sides agreed to go part their ways, with the star player suspended for two weeks in May for an unauthorized visit to Saudi Arabia.
