Lionel Messi is reportedly considering taking a break from the Argentina national team in order to better prepare for his Inter Miami transfer.
After snubbing a return to Barcelona and a lucrative contract with Saudi club Al Hilal, Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami on a free transfer. The move is widely considered by many to be the best-ever transfer to the league, one that is certain to boost the revenue and popularity of the MLS to new heights.
Fans are now clamoring to know the date when Messi makes his debut for the David Beckham owned club. On top of that, a drastic increase in ticket prices for all the games further showcases the hype of Messi’s arrival in the US.
Lionel Messi to leave Argentina national team?
Amid all this hype, Messi is reportedly about to take a sabbatical from the national team to focus on his new club.
According to the Mirror, the Argentine captain has told manager Lionel Scaloni about his plans to take a year off from the national team. This is to help Messi and his family to properly settle in their new city and club.
The decision needs to be approved by the Argentinian football federation before it is made official. However, Messi who is arguably their best player ever and is fresh off delivering the 2022 World Cup to them, is not likely to be rejected.
Messi is said to take his new club seriously and wants to start things great with them. Messi is still said to be available before the 2024 Copa America, which will be held in the USA. He is also thinking about participating in the next World Cup in 2026, though he has previously refuted such claims.
According to The Athletic, and Inter Miami co owner Jorge Mas, Messi is set to make his debut when Miami hosts Liga MX club Cruz Azul on July 21 in the Leagues Cup. The hype for Messi’s debut is through the roof, as the match tickets have already been sold out.
How much is Messi’s contract with Inter Miami?
Messi’s contract with new club Inter Miami is said to be the best in MLS history. Though he will have a significant wage reduction from his European days, the MLS has covered it up with other offers to lure the Argentine sensation to the US.
Messi’s base salary at the club will be around an annual wage of 50 million dollars. As he has signed a two year deal, with an option for another year, he could earn 150 million dollars from the whole deal. But it is not even the cherry on top of the cake that was offered to Messi by Beckham.
Inter Miami will receive support from two of the league’s biggest partners: Adidas and Apple. The sources say that MLS and Apple have agreed to give Messi a percentage of the revenue generated when new subscribers join the MLS Season Pass. The MLS Season Pass is the official streaming channel of the league on Apple TV+.
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami deal is worth up to $150 MILLION, reports @kbadenhausen.
— Includes salary, signing bonus and team equity before any brand rev share
— 2.5 year deal, option for 2026
— Messi expected to exercise ownership stake in Inter Miamihttps://t.co/iwhvL39pNV— Mark J. Burns (@markjburns88) June 19, 2023
Apple recently signed a 10-year agreement with the league worth $2.5 billion. Apple TV+ will also release a documentary based on Lionel Messi’s World Cup success. As Messi has joined the MLS, the channel will gain more subscribers which will be beneficial for Apple.
Adidas already sponsors Messi- the biggest asset of the company. Moreover, now they are also chipping in with the MLS to entice Messi. He will be given a percentage of the revenue generated from Adidas products such as shirts.
Upon his eventual retirement, Messi will also be given a percentage of shares in the club.
It is clear that the club has done everything to entice Messi to join the league, and Messi himself is now ready to sacrifice the national team for the club.
