Lionel Messi, Inter Miami’s new captain, made headlines after he announced his decision to join the MLS side in 2023. However, the soccer world was already stunned when Barcelona did not re-sign La Pulga after 17 years of a storied career in the club. Meanwhile, experts believed that Blaugrana’s decision paved the way for other teams in the transfer market in pursuit of Lionel Messi.

La Pulga had an unpopular two-year stint with PSG after he was forced to leave Barcelona in 2021. Eventually, an ex-Barca executive remarked that Inter Miami had their priorities and ambitions to sign the Argentine after he decided to not renew the contract with the Parisians in 2023.

The Herons’ executive reveals about the transfer of Lionel Messi

Xavier Asensi, an Inter Miami executive, joined forces as the world champion this season after spending 11 years in Barcelona. Asensi commented that the clubs could only draft an agreement for Messi after Barcelona was forced to let him go due to financial constraints. In an interview, he said, “When he gets kicked out of Barça, the window opens. If he hadn’t been sacked, he would still be there for sure. But the option opened up, and that’s where the rest of us came in”.

It was also reported that a Saudi club Al Hilal tried to offer a record-breaking deal of $400 million a year when the World Cup winner was available in the market as a free agent. However, the Herons were unfazed by their plans and prepared for Messi’s arrival, despite multiple interests in the talisman. Xavier Asensi highlighted that Inter Miami had their reservations for number 10 until La Pulga signed in, which subsequently altered the club’s dynamics.

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The impact of new number 10 of Inter Miami

The ex-Barcelona icon joined Inter Miami for $150 million dollars for two and a half years on American soil. Messi took South Florida by storm with scoring 10 goals in just 11 games. He showed his goal-scoring prowess by scoring goals in each of his first seven appearances for the Herons.

The ex-PSG legend joined hands with former teammate Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in Miami FC to triumph for the first-ever trophy for Inter Miami with Leagues Cup and reach the finals of the U.S Open Cup. The 36-year-old’s impact transcended beyond the Herons as MLS saw an increase of two million season passes on Apple TV+ since his arrival in the States. Fans and the club hope that Lionel Messi would continue his illustrious performance to secure a playoff spot in the MLS Easter Conference with 12 games remaining in the league tie.

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