Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have now signed for Inter Miami, although some eagle-eyed fans noticed that the MLS team had left their iconic squad numbers vacant before the deals were completed.
Both the No. 10 and No. 5 jerseys were unassigned at the start of the 2023 MLS season, and Miami fans were hoping that there could be a major reason as to why. Numbers 1-11 are usually snapped up whenever they become available depending on the position of a player, but No 10 and No. 5 were kept clear at Miami.
Although the numbers of Messi and Busquets are yet to be announced, it's likely that the two major signings will opt to wear their iconic numbers. Messi has worn No. 10 since 2008, and Busquets has been No. 5 since 2014.
Messi's arrival was announced at the start of June, just days after manager Phil Neville was sacked by the MLS team who have underperformed this season. Busquets' announcement took a little longer, but they may not be done there.
The two Barcelona legends will reunite at Miami after two seasons apart, with Busquets moving away from Spain for the first time in his career. Messi had no choice but to leave in 2021 due to financial problems at Barcelona, but admitted he wasn't enjoying life at Paris Saint Germain.
Messi and Busquets played 13 seasons together at Barcelona, clocking up over 700 hours of football on the pitch. The pair know each other extremely well, and their chemistry will do wonders for Miami and those playing around them.
Barcelona attempted to re-sign Messi this summer, but the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner chose to move to MLS instead. Messi also had offers from around Europe and Saudi Arabia, as did Busquets, but they both declined in favour of Miami.
But the transfer business may not be done there, as Miami's managing director Jorge Mas tweeted a picture of three blank jerseys as he teased more signings. Miami have also been linked with Barcelona defender Jordi Alba, with the possibility of reuniting all three former team-mates.
Alba's contract was meant to expire at the end of next season, but Barcelona reached a deal with the defender to part ways this summer. Alba has reportedly been in talks with Atletico Madrid, teams in Saudi Arabia, and Miami.
If Alba was to join Messi and Busquets in Miami then he wouldn't have his number available, with his usual No. 18 occupied by Harvey Neville, son of sacked manager Phil. But now that Neville is no longer at the franchise they could look to change that, although owner David Beckham may face an awkward conversation with the former manager.
