Lionel Messi's move to MLS has sent shockwaves across the world. Many believe the iconic Argentine leaving PSG for Inter Miami was quite an unexpected choice, but the Messi family had this option on the table for quite a while – long before the summer of 2023.
In fact, Inter Miami barely existed when Leo's father and agent, Jorge, was first offered the move.
*the club was found on January 29, 2018
Speaking on a 'This Life of Mine' podcast with James Corden, David Beckham opened up on how ex-Barcelona captain ended up playing soccer.
“We’d been talking to Leo’s father for a long time …Five years. Me and my partner [ the club's co-owner Jorge Mas] in Miami sneaked into a hotel to meet Leo’s dad five years prior to him signing for us. And we had a meeting with him, and I said, ‘Look, I know Leo’s not ready now, but I want your son to play for my club in the future.'"
"So, fast forward five years. We knew that month that there was a decision to be made, because Leo had announced that he was leaving PSG. So, four or five A.M. in Japan, and I’m in bed, and my phone keeps buzzing and buzzing and buzzing. I then see, ‘Leo Messi has decided to come to Miami.’ And I get goosebumps now. I sit up in my bed, and I start crying..Because we just signed Leo Messi – the greatest player to ever have played our game."
