It seems that Lionel Messi’s long-time teammate, fellow soccer superstar Neymar, may have played a surprisingly notable role in his decision to take his talents to MLS.
Last week, what had been rumored for months actually came to fruition. After coming to a mutual agreement to end his tenure with Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, soccer icon Lionel Messi announced that he would join MLS as a part of CF Inter Miami.
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While there had been speculation since earlier this year that the 35-year-old star could join the league’s Miami side, it was far from a guarantee. Especially when his former team FC Barcelona was interested in a reunion and Saudi Arabia’s professional soccer league was reportedly willing to offer him a yearly pay that was close to half a billion dollars.
However, in the end, the Argentinian soccer legend chose to follow the path of other greats from the sport and head to America and MLS. What makes Lionel Messi’s move to the United States’ top soccer league unique is there was help from outside of Miami.
Neymar and Lionel Messi were teammates for six seasons on Barcelona and PSG
Firstly, MLS broadcast partner Apple+ is set to give Messi a percentage of new subscriptions once he begins his tour in the league. Also, apparel partner Addidas is also expected to have a special deal with him based on his joining MLS.
However, in an ESPN Deportes interview last week, Lionel Messi’s former Barcelona and PSG teammate Neymar revealed he also helped nudge him to choose MLS.
“Messi is one of my best friends, a gift that soccer has given me. I had the opportunity to get to know him, to play with him, and then, to build a beautiful friendship. So, I knew that he wanted to come here [Miami], and we spoke about it. I told him he was going to be very happy in the city, because of the style of life, the opportunity to come to live and play here in Miami.”
– Neymar
Neymar lives in South Beach and has actually been a courtside fixture for the Miami Heat’s NBA Finals games against the Denver Nuggets. The Brazilian soccer great also claimed he expects Lionel Messi to change soccer in the US and that MLS “will become a lot more popular” once he joins the league in July.
Having a fellow great from the sport push him to make the move to the far less famous league surely had to have an effect on Messi’s eventual decision.