Things could get that much easier for Lionel Messi when he joins Inter Miami CF next month because on Friday the team signed a former FC Barcelona teammate of the soccer legend and are in negotiations with another.
There is no story bigger in American soccer — sorry women’s World Cup — than the fact that one of the greatest soccer players of all time is set to join MLS. In May, the sport was turned on its head when Lionel Messi announced that after ending his relationship with Paris Saint Germain, he would be taking his world-class talents to Inter Miami and MLS for the foreseeable future.
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The deal was one of the most unique in the league’s history as Lionel Messi reportedly landed a portion of the team, will earn a percentage of future MLS subscriptions on Apple TV, and Addidas gave him a special deal to be their new face of the league. The Argentinian icon is expected to begin his MLS career in early July, and he could be joined by a pair of familiar faces.
Lionel Messi set for MLS debut with Inter Miami in early July
On Friday, Inter Miami revealed some shocking news with the signing of FC Barcelona great Sergio Busquets. Thirteen of Messi’s legendary 17 seasons with Barcelona were spent playing with Busquets.
And as Inter did with Lionel Messi, Miami was able to lure Busquets away from potential big-money deals with teams in the Saudi Professional League.
However, that may not be where things end for Inter to make Messi’s surroundings a bit more familiar. ESPN reported today that the team is also in discussions with another Barca veteran, Jordi Alba. He is expected to make a decision on if he will also have a reunion with Messi in the next few weeks after resting following winning the UEFA Nations League with Spain.
Busquets is a legend in Spain, having helped lead his country to a World Cup in 2010 and a European Championship two years later. He also helped Barca win nine league titles and three Champions Leagues trophies during his distinguished run with the side.