The football world experienced a seismic upheaval on Wednesday, June 7, when Lionel Messi decided to leave Paris Saint-Germain and join MLS team Inter Miami in the United States.
After he and Miami made the announcement official, the Argentinian superstar explained why he opted to head to the U.S. at this stage of his career.
“After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the league of the United States to live football in another way and to enjoy the day to day more,” Messi told Spanish publications Mundo Deportivo and Sport, per ESPN.
“Obviously, with the same responsibility and desire to play well and do things well as always. But in a calmer way.”
The 35-year-old has spent the past two seasons at PSG following a renowned 17-year run with Barcelona, where he guided the club to four UEFA Champions League titles.
The world’s top player receives the Ballon d’Or trophy every year, and he arrives in Miami with a record seven of them.
Numerous clubs, including Al Hilal of the Saudi Arabian Pro League, were interested in signing Messi in addition to Barcelona.
Lionel Messi argued that he might have gotten more money elsewhere while talking openly about his choice of Miami.
“If if had been a matter of money, I’d have gone to [Saudi] Arabia or elsewhere,” Messi said.
“It seemed like a lot of money to me. The truth is that my final decision goes elsewhere and not because of money.”
Read more: Should Neymar Sign For A Premier League Club?
Due to his outlook on how he wants to enjoy football peacefully and not for the money, Messi’s decision to join an MLS team appears to be a very good one.
