MLS
How Inter Miami secured the signing of Lionel Messi: a timeline
The Herons officially announced the arrival of the former Barcelona star after almost four years of rumours, discussions and negotiations.
It took Inter Miami 1,364 days to make their dream of taking Lionel Messi to MLS come true. Co-owned by David Beckham and the Mas brothers, the Herons finally got their man in June when the Argentine superstar announced that he would making the move to Florida this summer.
The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio has revealed how ‘Operation Messi’ played out over the course of almost four years, during which time Jorge Mas led a series of discussions and, ultimately, negotiations in all four corners of the globe.
The chronology of Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami
30 January 2018
Inter Miami is introduced as the MLS’ latest expansion franchise, with Beckham and Mas named as owners. Messi posts a video congratulating them on their new venture, seemingly opening the door to a move to MLS in the future.
September 2019
Mas, Beckham and former Inter Miami sporting director Paul McDonough travel to Barcelona, where they meet with Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father, to establish a relationship with the player’s camp and strengthen the possibility of taking Messi to Florida further down the line.
30 June 2021
Messi’s contract with Barcelona comes to an end and the Spanish club are not renew it due to La Liga’s financial restrictions. The Argentine is forced to depart.
10 August 2021
After leaving Barcelona and winning the Copa América in Brazil with Argentina, Messi signs a two-year contract with PSG with the option of a third year.
15 November 2022
The Mas brothers meet with MLS Commissioner Don Garber at a board of directors meeting to inform him of their intention to sign Messi upon the expiration of his initial deal in Paris.
18 December 2022
Jorge Mas is photographed sitting in a box with the Messi family at the World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar. La Albiceleste lift the trophy for the third time in their history.
4 April 2023
With rumours circling that there is a realistic chance of Messi moving to the United States, at an MLS board of governors meeting, Apple reveal their interest in partnering with Messi in order to facilitate a potential move stateside.
May 2023
Mas holds another meeting with Jorge Messi after strong speculation that the former Barcelona attacker would be leaving PSG at the end of the season. The Messis are presented with a proposal for Leo to sign for Inter Miami: “How many times in life do you have the opportunity to change a sport? There will be pre-Messi and post-Messi in MLS,” Mas explains.
7 June 2023
Messi announces his decision to join Inter Miami in an interview with Catalan media outlets Mundo Deportivo and Sport, in which he explains his reasons and that he had turned down an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal of more than $1 billion.
30 June 2023
Messi’s contract with PSG comes to an end and the two parties decide to part ways by mutual agreement. The coast is clear for the Argentine to officially join Inter Miami.
15 July 2023
The Herons officially announce that Messi has signed for the club and confirm that he will be unveiled at DRV PNK Stadium in Miami, Florida on Sunday 16 July.