Major League Soccer clubs have come up with a novel way to afford bringing Lionel Messi to America: by every team contributing a portion of the Argentina legend’s salary.
Messi, 35, is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain in the summer - though he has an option to extend by a year- and there is expected to be a huge fight to secure his signature for next season should he decide to quit Parc des Princes.
But MLS clubs have discussed a unique structure that would see one of the greatest players of all time end up in the United States as they build towards being the co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup.
All 29 teams would commit to funding a percentage of Messi’s salary. He currently earns more than £900,000 per week before tax, according to French media.
The proposal was mooted in a meeting of club executives in February, according to a report in Sport, and is being justified on the basis that Messi’s presence in the league will bring huge commercial benefits to every team and, the clubs hope, see broadcasting income skyrocket.
MLS recently confirmed a global deal with Apple+ TV worth $2.5bn across the next decade and has a separate domestic deal with Fox Sports.
Yet should such a proposal become reality there will be many questions raised around the integrity of the competition when every team that Messi faces will also be part-funding his salary. FIFA may also end up taking a dim view of such an arrangement.
Irrespective of the MLS plan, sources indicate that Messi would rather remain in Europe. Messi has remained tight-lipped around his future but PSG’s latest Champions League failure may weaken their case. He has 17 goals and 17 assists for the French giants so far this season.
PSG have already offered Messi new terms, while Barcelona have a desire for him to re-sign - even though it currently appears financially impossible unless they find a number of other levers to pull.
Italian media have also said that Inter Milan are keen on signing the World Cup winner. Messi’s former international team-mate Javier Zannetti is calling the shots at the Serie A club.
Messi has spent the past week celebrating Argentina's World Cup win in Buenos Aires. Thousands gathered outside a restaurant that he was eating at before he scored the second goal, a late free kick, in their 2-0 win over Panama on an evening when every player was presented with a replica trophy. La Albiceleste face Curacao in another friendly on Tuesday night.
