With David Beckham having finally realised his dream of bringing a major superstar to Inter Miami, it was the culmination of a courtship which goes back half a decade.
It had appeared that a move to join the likes of old adversary Cristiano Ronaldo and Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema in Saudi Arabia was in the offing for the legendary forward. To confuse matters even more, the 35-year-old's father and agent Jorge had previously that his son would "love to return" to Barcelona.
However, a switch to the MLS now beckons to end a stories career in Europe, which has seen him win a staggering 42 major honours for club and country. His record of 704 club goals — scored mostly for during a 17-spell at the Camp Nou — came alongside an unprecedented seven Ballon d'Ors.
Ultimately, a move stateside beckons for Messi, with the opportunity to continue his career in a new culture alongside his young family likely to have been a major attraction. The world-famous ace, who already owns a property in Miami, will have also been drawn to the opportunities that the deal will likely bring him when it comes to lucrative commercial partnerships in the MLS.
Intriguingly, the prospect of the former Barcelona man ending up at Inter Miami has been mooted pretty much ever since the fledgling club was first established back in 2018. In fact, in a congratulatory message sent to Beckham following the franchise's founding, the then-Blaugrana star coyly suggested that a move to Miami would eventually be of interest to him.
He said in a video sent to the ex- Real Madrid midfielder: “First of all congratulations. I wanted to wish you all the best in this new project, this new role for you. Who knows, maybe in a few years you can give me a ring.”
The pair were, of course, also pictured together last month when Beckham visited PSG's training base. The duo were snapped arm-in-arm along with Marco Verratti as the former England captain popped his head in at the club where he finished his career.
In truth, Beckham, has always spoken in glowing terms about his latest signing for Inter Miami. In an interview with ESPN Argentina in February, he said: "I love Leo for many different reasons. I love him because he’s a great father. I love him because he’s a great personality, a character. He’s a great person.
"But I think what everybody loves about him is the way he plays the game. He plays the game with passion. He plays the game just free the way he plays."
Mentioning his success in the World Cup in Qatar, he added: "And I think this past World Cup again. I think the way he played for his team, for his country and to win that World Cup was an incredible moment for him. And I love watching players like him."
After Messi opened the door when Beckham founded Inter Miami, the pair have now secured the deal they first touted five years ago.
