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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Lionel Messi to join Inter Miami after rejecting Saudi Arabia move

Lionel Messi is set to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami after rejecting Saudi Arabia's advances.

The player, who many regard as football's greatest ever, is a free agent after two years with Paris Saint-Germain. Messi was keen to return to Barcelona, having been forced to leave in 2021 due to the club's finances.

Messi's father and agent, Jorge, was recently been pictured at Barca president Joan Laporta's house and has confirmed talks over a possible deal, but an offer never materalised.

Widespread reports on Wednesday state that Messi has now agreed to move Stateside this summer for his first experience of football outside of Europe.

Lionel Messi is a free agent after two years with Paris Saint-Germain (REUTERS)

The Athletic report that a debut date of July 21 has even been pencilled in. Inter Miami face Cruz Azul on that date.

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Negotiations were led by Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas, while MLS partners Apple and Adidas have worked on the deal.

Apple recently took on broadcast rights for MLS, while Adidas have a long-term association with both the league and Messi himself.

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