Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has opened up about his considerations before joining MLS, admitting that he seriously contemplated a move to the “very powerful” Saudi Pro League, where Cristiano Ronaldo was plying his trade. Despite serious interest and high-ball bids from the Saudi Pro League, Messi eventually opted for a free transfer to Inter Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
In his reflections, Messi revealed, “My first option was to return to Barcelona, but it was not possible. I tried to return, and it did not happen. It is also true that later I was thinking a lot about going to the Saudi league, where I know the country, and they have created a very powerful competition that can become an important league in the near future. It was Saudi Arabia or MLS, and both options seemed very interesting to me.”
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Despite the significant efforts of the Saudi Pro League, including signings like Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema, Messi chose to make an impact in the United States. Inter Miami, the MLS team Messi joined, has seen a surge in interest, with reports indicating that despite raising ticket prices in response to Messi’s arrival, they have already sold out season tickets for 2024.
Messi’s influence extends beyond the field, attracting A-listers like LeBron James and Kim Kardashian to watch him play, contributing to the growing popularity of soccer in the United States. Since joining Miami in July, Messi scored 11 goals in 14 games, helping secure the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami’s first-ever trophy. The 36-year-old football legend also clinched the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in October and was recently named ‘Athlete of the Year’ by TIME magazine on Tuesday.
