The Lionel Messi free agency saga has ended. The 35-year-old announced he intends to sign with Inter Miami once his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires on June 30.
Messi had three rumored suitors vying to sign him as Al-Hilal and FC Barcelona were in the mix with the South Florida-based club. Former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero took a dig at the Spanish club for their effort, or lack thereof, to reunite with Messi.
“Messi’s decision? Barcelona did not do enough for Leo’s return,” Aguero told ESPN Argentina. “Yes, there was a La Liga thing also and an economic situation, but Leo made the correct decision to not to wait until the last second like in 2021.”
🚨🚨🗣️ Aguero to ESPN: “Messi’s decision? Barcelona did not do enough for Leo’s return. Yes, there was a La Liga thing also and an economic situation, but Leo made the correct decision to not to wait until the last second like in 2021.” 🇦🇷👀 pic.twitter.com/1yWeuaS194
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) June 9, 2023
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner will now embark on a journey to the United States. He’ll have an ownership stake in Inter Miami and has the task of further growing MLS’ presence worldwide.
Inter Miami will now have to build a squad that can climb out of the basement in the Eastern Conference. Aguero did reveal a hilarious text exchange on showing Messi the challenge of making the MLS playoffs, but it seems the veteran is up to the task.
“I spoke to Messi yesterday, I sent him a message with a screenshot of the Eastern Conference standings and I said: ‘Your team is behind! You have to move up to 8th/9th!’ “Aguero said.
“Messi cracked up. He said, ‘We have to make the playoffs!’”
