Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas shed light on the arduous journey and extensive efforts involved in pursuing Lionel Messi.
Mas spoke with El Pais and acknowledged that securing Messi’s signature is a complex and time-consuming process. Additionally, he said there was meticulous planning and ongoing discussions to bring the legendary forward to bring the Argentine to MLS.
“Long process,” Mas said (h/t Mundo Deportivo). “I spent three years. A year and a half very intensely. Many conversations with his father, Jorge [Messi]. I saw it done at the end of May. David [Beckham] talked with Leo only about soccer issues because he was playing. I didn’t want him to feel pressured. We spoke in Barcelona, Miami, Rosario, [and] Doha … I spent the entire World Cup in Qatar, watching Argentina.
“The Apple contract was very important to close it. Conversations with Apple are going very well, and interests are aligning. If soccer grows in the United States, he will benefit. He is fair.”
The long process to bring Messi to the United States is why Mas has high expectations for him. Mas believes the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner can elevate MLS to another level.
With the seven-time Ballon d’Or playing in the United States, many will take notice for the two and half-years he’ll be there. Inter Miami began this process to lure Messi to MLS in 2019, and they’ll start to see the fruits of their efforts soon.
Messi could also have a former PSG teammate join him at Intern Miami. SPORT reported on Sunday that Ramos is in very advanced negotiations with the MLS side. Along with the former PSG defender, Jordi Alba is near agreeing to join the club that Beckham co-owns.
