Lionel Messi, 36, is set to join American Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami. Messi has reportedly been promised a substantial salary in the US.
Spanish media outlet El País reported on Wednesday (March 3) that it interviewed Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas to estimate Messi’s salary. Messi is likely to earn between $50 million (approx. KRW 654 million) and $60 million (approx. KRW 784 million) per year from Inter Miami. On average, he is calculated to earn 200 million won per day.
Messi is expected to don the colors of Inter Miami within the month. Messi, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired last month, decided to move to the United States after numerous rumors. It is noteworthy that he rejected the lure of Saudi Arabia, who offered him an astronomical amount of money.
Nowadays, Saudi Arabia is using its deep pockets to attract star players. After signing Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nasr) at the end of last year, this summer they added Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante (Al Ittihad), Nabil Neves, and Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal).
Messi was also approached. Al Hilal, who pushed for Messi’s signature, offered $545 million in salary. In terms of money, that’s 10 times more than Inter Miami. Nevertheless, Messi chose to move to the United States to experience the new infrastructure, saying, “If it was only about money, I would have gone to Saudi Arabia.”
The only destination Messi wanted more than Saudi Arabia was Barcelona. Messi has a legendary record as a one-club man, starting in the youth ranks before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain. He considers Barcelona his second home and wanted to make a romantic return, but financial issues prevented it.
President Joan Laporta, 오래된 토토사이트 who made Messi’s return a campaign promise, claimed he tried his best but was blocked by the Spanish Primera Liga’s salary cap rules. Speaking to Sport on Wednesday, Laporta said, “I understand his decision. He had a difficult year at Paris Saint-Germain. He wanted to go somewhere with less pressure. I wish him the best of luck.”
Laporta then made another unfulfilled promise. “We will organize a big tribute for Messi,” Laporta said. It would be perfect if he returned to the Camp Nou as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations,” Laporta said, hinting at a possible Messi retirement ceremony. Barcelona is currently renovating its home stadium, which will be completed in late 2024.