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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Alex James

David Beckham can hand Lionel Messi his dream squad number at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi is expected to complete his move to Inter Miami in the coming days.

The Argentina superstar is poised to move to the Major League Soccer side owned by former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham. Messi had been linked with a romantic return to Barcelona while he was offered a huge financial package to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Arabia Pro League.

But the 35-year-old has opted to move Stateside as he leaves French club PSG following two years in Paris. The transfer has sparked global attention and will bring to an end Messi's career in Europe.

And when he does officially sign for Miami, he is likely to be handed his dream shirt number. While in Ligue 1, Messi wore the number 30 shirt and there was an avalanche of sales of the kit when the playmaker arrived from Barcelona. Inter Miami will expect a similar flood of sales but Messi won't be wearing 30 in America.

ALSO READ: 'Could change everything' - Lionel Messi, David Beckham and Inter Miami's search for sporting success

Young midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi already has that number but Messi's iconic number 10 jersey is free. It's the shirt we associate most with the Argentina forward, having worn it during his decorated spell at Barcelona and also with the national team. He first wore 30 coming through at Barca before taking the number 19 shirt, which is Robbie Robinson's at Miami.

And while Messi lifted the World Cup wearing 10, his time with the Argentina squad has also seen him don 15, 18 and 19. Harvey Neville, a former Manchester United academy player and son of ex-Miami boss Phil Neville, wears 18 for Miami with Ryan Sailor 15.

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