Lionel Messi has undeniably made a profound impact on Major League Soccer (MLS) and the overall sport in the US.
However, it’s worth noting that his move to the US and MLS has also had a significant influence on Messi and his family.
Prior to the Leagues Cup final, Messi sat down with Apple TV+ for his first interview since joining Inter Miami. During the interview, hosted by Tony Cherchi, Messi discussed his decision to sign with David Beckham’s club and identified the most important factor driving that choice. He revealed that his family’s wellbeing played a significant role, as they had experienced challenging times during his two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germain in France’s Ligue 1.
“It was a family decision,” Messi told Cherchi, as translated by Apple TV+. “We went through two difficult years. The truth is, things weren’t going well for us. It was an incredibly tough period for the entire family.”
However, Messi expressed how coming to the US felt like returning to the joy and everyday life he experienced during his time with Barcelona. The primary focus was on his children and ensuring their wellbeing.
Messi further elaborated that after spending time in the US, his family concluded that Miami was the ideal place for them.
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Messi reportedly declined other lucrative offers, including a $1.6 billion deal from a Saudi Arabian club, to join Inter Miami. He also turned down opportunities in traditional European leagues, as MLS strives to overcome its reputation as a “retirement league” for ageing superstar players.
Although Messi stands to earn a substantial amount of money in the US, including a share of Apple TV’s subscriber revenue, he emphasized his rediscovered love for playing the sport in MLS. He contrasted his experience in Paris, where he felt he was no longer enjoying the day-to-day aspects of the game.
“My happiness has always been derived from playing football and having fun with what I loved as a kid, which I continued to enjoy throughout my life,” said Messi. “And now, I can continue to do that here, which is one of the reasons why I made the decision to come back and rediscover the joy I had lost.”
Messi likened his time with Inter Miami to his experiences with the Argentina National Football Team, where he found immense happiness and camaraderie.
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“My time with the national team has always been the most joyful for me because I relished the environment I was in and the teammates I had,” Messi revealed. “I wanted to come here and find that same feeling, and thankfully, I did.”
In 2022, Messi achieved his first World Cup victory with the Argentine National Football Team, leading them to their third overall win.
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