Lionel Messi has brought an end to months of speculation about his future by announcing his move to Inter Miami. The 35-year-old World Cup winner recently played his final game for Paris Saint-Germain and was heavily linked with a return to Barcelona or a lucrative transfer to Saudi side Al-Hilal.

However, he has chosen to join Major League Soccer, signing a deal with Miami, which is co-owned by Manchester United icon David Beckham.

In a statement, Messi explained his decision, saying, “If things didn’t work out with Barcelona, my intention was to leave Europe, step away from the spotlight, and prioritize my family.

After the difficult exit I had, I didn’t want to find myself in a similar situation, waiting to see what would happen. I heard about Barcelona needing to sell players or reduce salaries, and honestly, I didn’t want to go through that again.”

Messi’s choice to join Miami is sure to raise eyebrows worldwide. He further expressed, “I also wanted to explore something different and find peace of mind. While I did receive offers from other European teams, I didn’t even consider them because my plan was to go back to Barcelona.

However, living in the United States and enjoying a different day-to-day life is something that excites me. Nevertheless, my ambition to win and perform at the highest level remains intact.”

🚨🚨 BREAKING: Lionel Messi to Inter Miami, here we go! The decision has been made and it will be announced by Leo in the next hours #InterMiami

🇺🇸 Messi will play in MLS. No more chances for Barcelona/Al Hilal despite trying to make it happen.

𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄 𝐆𝐎#Messi #MLS pic.twitter.com/OTYWIlEzNc

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 7, 2023

During his illustrious career at Barcelona, Messi scored a remarkable 672 goals in 778 appearances, cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time. Winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar last winter was the perfect culmination of his achievements.

Now, Messi embarks on a new chapter in his career, ready to make his mark in the United States while maintaining his unwavering commitment to success and excellence.