Lionel Messi ‘set to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami next summer and will buy 35 per cent of franchise’
LIONEL MESSI is reportedly set to join David Beckham's MLS side Inter Miami next summer.
The Argentina legend fancies having the next chapter of his remarkable career in Florida once his Paris Saint-Germain deal ends in 2023, according to DIRECTV Sports.
Inter Miami was founded in 2018 and is owned by England legend David Beckham and managed by his former Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville.
DIRECTV Sports report part of the proposal will be for Messi to own a 35 percent stake in the franchise.
Messi joined PSG last year after an iconic and trophy-laden 17-year career at Barcelona.
The 34-year-old has achieved just about everything he can in European club football and might see the challenge of impressing Stateside as one he wants to take on at this stage of his career.
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Messi has also bought a luxury £5million Miami apartment, suggesting he is a fan of the area, although he had it up for sale in November.
The MLS link comes hot on the heels of reports he could be on his way back to Barca.
Spanish Twitch channel captured a video of the star's father Jorge suggesting his son might return to the Nou Camp.
He told the cameraman: "I hope Leo can return to Barcelona one day."
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His agent told Le Parisien: "Leo has not yet decided on his future.
"And if Leo Messi has crossed paths with David Beckham in the last few hours, it is only as part of PSG’s stay in Doha where the former English midfielder plays a role as an ambassador for the next World Cup in Qatar."
Messi has bagged 24 goals in 33 games to help PSG win Ligue 1.
But only six of those goals were in the league and he has endured a strained relationship with PSG fans.
Former United and Real Madrid star Beckham, 47, regularly came up against Messi during his playing days.
Becks' final club was PSG and he admitted he decided to hang up his boots after Messi ran him ragged in a Champions League clash against Barcelona in 2013.