EXCLUSIVE: Lionel Messi to OWN MLS franchise

Updated: 15 Jul 2023 19:27 BST
3 min read

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, 2023 — © ProShots

Lionel Messi will become the CEO of his own MLS franchise at the end of his playing career, FootballTransfers has learned.

We are told that his contract with new club Inter Miami includes terms that state he will have his own MLS side at the end of his time there.

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The World Cup winner plans to work with former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez on the project.

Messi has admitted he is thrilled at the imminent opportunity to begin his career with Inter Miami.

Messi confirmed his decision to join up with Inter Miami earlier this month and it’s thought that his debut could be made against Mexican side Cruz Azul on July 21.

The superstar wanted to go back to Barcelona, the club where he made his name as one of the world’s greatest-ever players, but the financial predicament of the side meant he went to David Beckham’s club.

Messi was back in his hometown of Rosario last weekend for a testimonial game for ex-teammate Maxi Rodriguez as well as Riquelme in Buenos Aires.

The attacker scored a first-half hat-trick in the hometown, featuring while he enjoyed his 36th birthday.

Messi returns home

Messi: “ Now there will be a few days of vacation, and then I will start in my new city, my new club Inter Miami. I am very excited.”#Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/YQQBeXgO81
— Inter Miami CF (@intermiamifc0) June 27, 2023

“It is a very nice feeling to have been able to be at [Riquelme's] testimonial, with all that he means for football in Argentina, what he means to Boca, to be once again in ‘La Bombonera’,” he told Argentinian Public Television.

“Now there will be a few days of vacation and then I will start in my new city, my new club, I am very excited.”

Inter Miami promoted Messi's new shirt number in an Instagram post celebrating the winger’s birthday.

They posted an Instagram graphic saying 'Feliz Cumple' - Spanish for 'happy birthday'.

Read more about: MLS, Inter Miami, Lionel Messi