Lionel Messi has been in terrestrial form for Inter Miami since joining the Florida-based club in July. The Argentine’s impact on his new club and league has been more than apparent. Beyond his seven goals in four games for Inter Miami, Messi has brought the kind of attention the MLS has never enjoyed.
His unveiling attracted 3.5 billion views worldwide, with everyone wanting a piece of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. Stadium tickets are now selling out faster than ever, and so are the Apple MLS Season Pass signups. It’s only normal that the hype surrounding Messi’s Inter Miami arrival has created jealousy among unhappy players, including Nick Marsman.
Marsman released after criticizing Messi signing
Actions usually have consequences, especially those that include spoken words, and Nick Marsman must have learned that the hard way after seeing his contract ripped up by Inter Miami following his comments on Lionel Messi’s arrival at the club. The Dutch goalkeeper was quick to point out the implication of having a player of Messi’s caliber at a club of Inter Miami’s size, and his words have now spelled the end of his Inter Miami career.
“I personally think that this club is not ready for Messi’s arrival. We have a temporary stadium, people can just walk on the pitch, there are no gates. We also leave for the stadium without security. I think they aren’t ready,” Marsman declared in June.
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His words have now made Inter Miami rip up his contract and release him, thanks to a rule by the MLS that allows each team to release a player from his contract during the season. The club made an announcement last Friday: “Inter Miami CF announced today that it has exercised its Salary Budget Charge buyout on goalkeeper Nick Marsman’s Major League Soccer (MLS) contract.”
How much will Miami pay Messi?
Lionel Messi could have earned a staggering $440 million yearly if he had signed for Al-Hilal to play in the Saudi Pro League. However, Messi chose a lesser yearly salary of $50-60 million to play in the MLS. Although this may not make sense to people, Messi could make far more than that from his deal with Apple and Adidas for moving to the Florida-based club.
Sergio Aguero claimed last week that Messi chose Inter Miami for his family, and it’s not so hard to understand. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has a property in the city, and he has been vacationing there for a while, making him and his family familiar with the area.
Messi has been in superb form for Inter Miami, averaging a goal every 42 minutes. His last efforts came in a 4-4 draw with FC Dallas, where the Argentine scored a brace, including a trademark free-kick.
