Lionel Messi: Major League Soccer side Inter Miami announce signing of Argentina World Cup winner

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has joined Major League Soccer side Inter Miami on a free transfer, the club have confirmed.

The club, which is co-owned by David Beckham, have handed the Argentinean a contract to 2025.

“I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” said Messi.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.”

Messi could make his Inter Miami debut against Mexican outfit Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup on July 21.

The Argentina World Cup winner was out of contract after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and reportedly wanted to stay in Europe for another season.

However, a return to Barcelona seemingly didn’t materialise due to Financial Fair Play constraints, which left Inter Miami or joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in Saudi Arabia as his options.

Former England, Manchester United and Real Madrid star Beckham said: “Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city.

“Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much.

“Today that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s calibre is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community. The next phase of our adventure starts here, and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the pitch.”

Messi is Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer with 672 goals, before he moved to PSG where he scored 32 goals in 75 games during his two seasons.

The 35-year-old helped the Parisians to two Ligue 1 titles but failed to inspire them to a maiden Champions League trophy.

Inter Miami are bottom of the Eastern Conference with just five wins from 21 games and sacked former Manchester United defender Phil Neville as manager earlier this season, replacing him with Tata Martino – Messi’s former boss at Barcelona and Argentina.

Messi will arguably be the highest-profile player to ever feature in the MLS, as he is set to join his former team-mate Sergio Busquets in Miami.

The last time the league attracted a player of Messi’s fame was when Beckham joined Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.