Argentina legend Lionel Messi has joined American side Inter Miami after his exit from French champions Paris St-Germain.
The former Barcelona player rejected a bumper offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal to link up with the American sides.
The Miami deal includes collaboration from brands like Adidas and Apple.
The star striker won the award for the world’s best player seven times and is expected to win it later this year after World Cup victory in Qatar
The deal means Messi will be playing for the first time outside Europe.
On his potential return to Barcelona, Messi said some individuals do not want him to return to the Spanish giant. He noted that everything is not all about money for him, saying: “the truth is that my final decision goes elsewhere and not because of money”.
Messi said: “I’m not sure if Barça did everything possible to make it happen, honestly; I just know what Xavi told me…”.
“Money, never been an issue with me. We didn’t even discuss the contract with Barcelona! They sent me a proposal but was never an official, written and signed proposal”
“We never negotiated my salary. It wasn’t about money otherwise I was going to join Saudi”.
“I’m sure that there’s people into the club that do not want me to return to Barça, considering that negative for the club”.
“I was dreaming of Barça return, yes; but I was never sure about that happening because I remember very well the story of August 2021, two years ago.
“I didn’t want to tell my kids: we go back to Barcelona! And then, nothing. I was quiet”.
“If it had been a matter of money, I’d have gone to Arabia or elsewhere. It seemed like a lot of money to me”, told MD.
“The truth is that my final decision goes elsewhere and not because of money”.