It was another weekend to remember for Lionel Messi as the legendary attacker maintained his superb form at Paris Saint-Germain and showed that he is still one of the game’s finest players.
Following a difficult start to life in the French capital, Messi is excelling again this season and that will delight PSG and Argentina fans before the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
It also increases the anticipation around a major decision regarding Messi’s club future, with the 35-year-old’s deal at the Parc des Princes scheduled to expire next summer.
Reports suggest PSG will push hard to extend his contract. He has also been linked with Inter Miami CF and a return to Barcelona.
The most advanced of those options is understood to be Inter Miami, to the extent that the Major League Soccer franchise now expect Messi to arrive and hope he will sign in the coming months.
Discussions between the two parties have been going on for a couple of years and there is increasing confidence that the proposed transfer will materialise.
Jorge and Jose Mas — the brothers who co-own Inter Miami alongside David Beckham — are leading the negotiations and numerous meetings have taken place with the star’s father, Jorge.
No more conversations are anticipated until the Wold Cup finishes and most probably early 2023, at which point Messi can put pen to paper on a pre-contract agreement with a foreign team.
If he picks Inter Miami, it will be an extraordinary achievement for them and the league. Messi would arguably be the most high-profile acquisition in the history of the competition. The impact he could have on football in the United States, especially as it gears up to jointly host the 2026 World Cup, is another factor appealing to everyone involved in the dialogue.
Inter Miami have always known that a move to their city is a source of attraction for Messi’s family, who already own a property there. Miami’s community links with South America are strong, too.
But the club — established in 2018 and contesting MLS matches since 2020 — are developing a pull of their own, amid improved displays on the pitch and structural progress behind the scenes.
Head coach Phil Neville and sporting director Chris Henderson are considered to have overseen an encouraging campaign after Inter Miami caused something of a surprise by reaching the play-offs, and player exits mean they have a chance to significantly bolster their squad for 2023.
Of greater importance is the permission that was recently granted for construction to begin on Miami Freedom Park, a $1billion (£860m) stadium complex that will give Inter Miami a spectacular home.
After a tumultuous period post-launch — they entered MLS during the COVID-19 pandemic and were later punished for breaking budget rules — Inter Miami appear to be advancing and in 2022, they experienced the biggest jump of any franchise in a valuation rankings table produced by Sportico.
All of this should ensure they are fairly well equipped to welcome someone of Messi’s standing. The powerbrokers were together for the season-ending defeat at New York City on October 18 and Beckham was back with his colleagues last week to continue planning, with Messi firmly in their thoughts.
Equally, the intricacy and unpredictability of such situations — particularly given the rival interest over Messi — means Inter Miami must simultaneously prepare for alternatives. Beckham and the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner share a good relationship but the Mas brothers are spearheading the pursuit. They will desperately hope that it comes to fruition.
Arsenal make contract offer to Saliba
Arsenal demolished Nottingham Forest to reclaim top spot in the Premier League. Their attacking flair will dominate the headlines but it was another result underpinned by defensive solidity.
The 5-0 win meant Arsenal…
Read More: Ornstein: Inter Miami increasingly confident of signing Lionel Messi