Many eyebrows were raised when Lionel Messi decided to join David Beckham’s Florida-based franchise Inter Miami despite having offers to become one of the highest-paid sportspersons in the world from the Saudi Pro League. The Argentine also had the chance to reunite with his boyhood club Barcelona but favored a move to the United States.
MLS is not really known in the soccer world compared to the European League. Even the Saudi clubs are more frequently making headlines owing to their massive signings and big names. One former teammate of Messi outlines a potential reason why the Argentine star picked Inter Miami over other options.
Lionel Messi chose Miami for his family: Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero is close friends with Lionel Messi and thus has a lot of insight into the superstar’s personal life. The pair first played together in the U20 World Cup in 2005, a competition they would go on to win after beating Nigeria in the final, they’ve been inseparable ever since.
If anyone knows some factors behind Messi’s decision to join the MLS, it’s Aguero. The Man City legend has given family as the real reason behind Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami despite having a bumper contract from Saudi Arabia on the table.
Speaking to Stake.com in an interview, the Argentine said, “Well, I think at this stage, with the age that Leo and Cristiano are, maybe tired of so much demand to be at a high level. I think Leo opted for him and his family to be well and to be able to play as relaxed as possible. In case he had been playing in Europe, obviously the requirement is different, so he can’t play his last years the way he wanted, which is to enjoy, right?”
Former NT teammate explains Messi’s $500 million Saudi snub
Cristiano Ronaldo has credited himself with opening other players’ eyes to see the benefits of the Saudi League. Several high-profile players like Karim Benzema, N’golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino – all Champions League winners – have followed Ronaldo to the Middle East to play in the Saudi Pro League.
Sergio Aguero has now explained why Messi snubbed the lucrative offer he got to play in the Saudi League. “I think he chose Miami for convenience. Miami is a nice place. There are lots of Latinos, and I think he also saw it from the family side, which I think they can fit quite well in Miami,” the former Barcelona striker said.
Do you think Messi made the right choice by going to the US? Would you like to see him return to Barca before retirement? Let us know what you think below!
