Inter Miami are confident of signing Lionel Messi next summer, according to a report.
The 35-year-old Argentine icon, widely considered the greatest player of all time, is considering his next steps as he enters the final months of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. Messi has rolled back the years with the Ligue 1 giants so far this season – epitomised by a two-goal masterclass in last week's 7-2 Champions League win over Maccabi Haifa – but hasn't committed beyond the end of the current campaign.
Speculation over a return to Barcelona has persisted almost from the moment he departed the Nou Camp in August 2021 but The Athletic report MLS upstarts Miami, part owned by David Beckham, expect to secure a sensational transfer for the legendary forward. It's said talks have already been held and are expected to resume once Messi returns from the Qatar World Cup with Argentina.
Miami have been unusually open about their desire to sign Messi and he was first linked when the club launched to much fanfare back in 2018. As recently as July, club president Jorge Mas insisted he was optimistic they could one day bring the Barcelona legend to the US. He said: "Well, look, both David Beckham and I aspire to bring the best players in the world here to Miami, not only because of the project we are creating.
"We want to be the point of reference for soccer in the United States, but when you talk about the best players in the world, Leo is obviously the best player on the planet. Hopefully the conditions will be met for him to be there, playing with the United States Inter Miami jersey. We aspire to that.
"I hope the circumstances are given. We have nothing guaranteed, there is no agreement, but I am a very optimistic man and I hope that in the future Leo Messi can be part of our project."
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