December 18, 2022 was burned into the memory of the Albiceleste team. Argentina had not lifted the World Cup since 1986 and in the Qatar event, in the first World Cup held in December in history, they were finally able to get rid of the thorn by winning the third against Mbappé's France. Leo Messi was especially the protagonist, who finally passed one of the great subjects pending for him. What he needed to be considered - with no challenges to meet - as the best player of all time. A year later, the Argentine's life has taken a 360-degree turn.
After winning the World Cup, and after finishing the tournament as the top assist and second in the scoring table - he doubled his figure in the World Cup: six goals from 2010 to 2018, for the seven goals against Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Australia , Netherlands, Croatia and 2 to France in 2022-, concluded his career with Paris Saint Germain by winning the French League.
After considering returning to FC Barcelona, the club of his life, he opted for the family and economic stability provided by a destination he always wanted to go to: Inter Miami of the American MLS, where he was welcomed like an idol.
In his first hours in the city of Florida, Messi was seen with his family in a supermarket near the apartment he owns in the Porsche Tower, located in the luxurious urbanization of Sunny Isles Beach. Happy and satisfied to have been able to decide in time his next destination.
In a short time the tickets to see the Argentine number 10 were sold out. Not just those at DRV PNK Stadium, the home of Inter Miami. Also the rest of the MLS stadiums. Messi signed until 2025 with a contract of 150 million dollars for two and a half years without counting the profits that Adidas and also Apple promised him.
It should be noted that the agreement between Apple TV and MLS to televise league matches was sealed in exchange for a figure of 2.5 billion dollars for the next 10 years. Additionally, with Messi's signing at Inter Miami, the Argentine is expected to receive a percentage of each subscription to the streaming platform to the MLS Season Pass.
The investment was worth it. In a short time Messi made the fans of the state of Florida vibrate with 11 goals and five assists in 14 games. His t-shirts sold out in hours, causing some disbelief even in the ranks of Adidas. Through a statement sent to various media, the German sports brand explained that this is a “truly unprecedented” event. “I have been with the brand for a long time and I have never seen our brand mobilize around a project in so many functions to bring the product to market so quickly,” said Tor Southard, director of football at Adidas.
In Miami, Messi has reunited with two more teammates and friends: Sergio Busquets, who signed for two more seasons after deciding to change his scene and not renew with Barcelona, and Jordi Alba, who decided to terminate the remaining year of his contract with Barcelona. . And it is expected that another ex-Blaugrana will join this summer: Luis Suárez.
Messi closed a historic year in November when he traveled to Paris to win his eighth Ballon d'Or 14 years after winning his first. He is the historical leader in this statistic and of course the first to win it without playing in Europe. Once outside of PSG, he found himself free enough to be able to speak publicly about Barcelona. "I follow Barça, I always did and I will continue to do so. It is the club that I love and will love all my life," said the Argentine who also dedicated the Ballon d'Or to his family, brothers and the Argentine team, dressed in a tie and A poorly fitted gray suit, long hair and no beard.
After winning the World Cup, Messi no longer has any outstanding accounts. At least, on a sporting level. But he does have others. The nostalgic ones. He would like to return to Barcelona to say goodbye to his club and its fans. "It is my home. I don't see myself as a coach, but who knows if he is in another role,” he revealed. He has a thorn in his mind: “I think there was a strange feeling when I left. I deserve to be able to say goodbye to those people. If that tribute is given, I will be delighted to be there,” he said. In Barcelona they appreciated his words.
Now, at 36 years old, Messi enjoys his new life. With Inter Miami he started his 2023 Leagues Cup campaign, a trophy that he would end up placing in his showcase. After just over a month as an Inter Miami player, Leo won his first trophy after beating Nashville SC in the final and finishing as the competition's top scorer with 10 goals.
