Fabrizio Romano has explained why Lionel Messi chose to join Inter Miami and MLS last summer instead of relocating to Saudi Arabia.
The Argentine international astonished the soccer world last year when he agreed to join Inter Miami in the richest trade in MLS history, with the reigning Ballon d’Or winner choosing America over Saudi Arabia.
Last summer, the Middle Eastern state made a significant impact in the sport with a flurry of high-profile signings ranging from Karim Benzema to Neymar, with Messi being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia after leaving PSG.
However, Romano has revealed why Messi picked Inter Miami over a move to Saudi Arabia.
Messi planned Inter Miami move long before Saudi Arabia interest
Speaking on the ARLS podcast, Romano detailed how Messi moving to Saudi Arabia was always a long shot given how far in advanced Inter Miami had planned a move for the Argentine, with the Herons also signing players are friends with the attackers.
Inter Miami had a clear route to signing Messi, and the process has paid off big time with the 36-year-old thriving in MLS this season and leading Tata Martino’s side to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.
Romano said on why Messi chose Inter Miami over Saudi Arabia: “I think it was not financial, I think it was for family reasons and also because it was close to David Beckham, and he had the chance to build a squad with some players who are his friends, like Busquets and Alba.
“He had the opportunity to create what he wanted there that maybe would have been different in Saudi. There are different reasons, but he prepare his move to Inter Miami a long time ago. I would not say the move was close, it was a possibility, but it was never that close from what I heard.”
Messi has been proven right in choosing MLS over Saudi Arabia
Whilst Saudi Arabia can boast more superstar names than MLS, there’s no denying that Messi’s quality and moments with Inter Miami have risen the American league’s profile into something beyond the Saudi Pro League.
Attendance figures in MLS are at an all-time high with Messi selling out NFL stadiums and raising Inter Miami’s reputation into arguably the biggest for a club outside of Europe and South America.
And had Messi chosen Saudi Arabia, there’s a real chance that the forward would have become something of a forgotten figure, an issue that has already happened with the likes of Benzema in the Middle East.
