Lionel Messi is entering the next phase of his legendary MLS profession with Inter Miami.
And his former club FC Barcelona is salty about it.
Barcelona issued a team statement on Wednesday seemingly wishing Messi “good luck in his recent skilled phase”.
Read on, nonetheless, and club president Joan Laporta clearly references Messi’s departure.
“President Laporta understood and revered Messi’s decision to compete in a less demanding league, away from the highlight and pressure he has been subjected to in recent years,” the statement read.
Phew.
The fans weren’t completely satisfied with Barcelona’s response, on condition that Messi will not be only a club legend, but would likely return to the team if the board had geese in a row.
“There are methods to honor the best player that has ever played for your club. This will not be one in every of them. It isn’t just an MLS shot, it is a direct shot at Messi.” one Twitter user wrote.
“It isn’t much for Barcelona. Considering they’re talking about their best player in the history of the club. one other tweet read.
The 35-year-old Messi first joined Barcelona as a young person in October 2004 and spent the next 17 seasons becoming the most successful player in the team’s history.
As a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and all-time top scorer (672), Messi’s legacy is written throughout the Barcelona club.
Barcelona cited “financial and structural obstacles” as the reason why the team were unable to bring the star back in 2021.
Messi spent a brief spell at Paris Saint-Germain before announcing a shocking move to the MLS on Wednesday.
Inter Miami, owned by soccer great David Beckham, will showcase a unique lifestyle – and payoff – for Messi.
“If the Barcelona thing didn’t work out, I wanted to leave Europe, disappear from the highlight and think more about my family,” Messi said. according to USA Today.
While the details of Messi’s recent contract are usually not clear presently, MLS salary cap rules suggest the 2022 world champion will receive a big pay cut.
Don’t be concerned, Messi has an estimated net value of $600 million and potential deals with Apple and Adidas to keep him comfortable.
Apple is in the first yr of a 10-year contract with MLS as the league’s global broadcaster, offering fans a season pass subscription to the streaming season.
According to Wall Street Journalit is probably going that Messi will earn a share of all recent MLS subscriptions.
As well as, Adidas – Messi’s sponsor since 2006 – also produces all MLS kits, not the Nike ones Messi previously wore in Europe.
It’s going to potentially gain a share in the revenues from the sale of recent goods.
Inter Miami fans expect Messi’s first MLS match to happen on July 12. Ticket prices for this present day go up from the standard $40 to almost $500.
Messi brings his talents to South Beach, whether Barcelona prefer it or not, and he’ll little doubt be a sensation.