Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi appears set to quit the club at the end of the current season and head to the United States to play Major League Soccer (MLS).
The 34-year-old Argentine, whose current contract at the Catalan club expires in June 2021, is believed to have bought a luxurious condo in the heart of Miami, Florida in anticipation of the move.
Sport-business reporter, Joe Pompliano posted photos of what appeared to be the interior of the $7.3 million posh property on Wednesday night.
According to Pompliano, the six-time Ballon D’Or winner’s family already owned a $5 million condo on the same street.
See photos:
Lionel Messi’s family just purchased this $7.3M condo in Miami, per @trdny.
He already owns a $5M condo right down the street.
Messi to Miami confirmed? pic.twitter.com/pzxLZEqsdb
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) April 21, 2021
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Florida is home to MLS side, Inter Miami FC, which is partly owned by David Beckham, who has not exactly hidden his admiration for Messi.
Speaking on the possibility of signing the Barcelona ace or his career rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, Beckham said, “I think that the fans would really appreciate that. But, you know, as owners, we want players here that are driven, that want to win, and that’s our priority.”
Messi was on the verge of quitting Barcelona last season after falling out with the board over the team’s direction.
He decided to stay until the expiration of his contract this summer when it appeared the matter could get before a judge, explaining that he would not settle his differences with the club in a court room.
However, Joan Laporta’s emergence as president has given credence to insinuations that Messi could stay on at the Spanish giants, as he shares a great working relationship with the club’s new boss.