Messi's exit came after "everything changed" at World Cup and contract U-turn
Inter Miami enjoyed a historic season thanks to Lionel Messi, but they may have his World Cup success to thank for everything that followed.
Messi was pondering his future while at Paris Saint-Germain in 2022, as his two-year contract was set to expire at the end of the 22/23 season. A one-year extension had been offered to the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, as PSG bosses believed another year alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar could result in them finally winning the Champions League.
The first-ever winter World Cup that was held in Qatar broke up that season, and Messi went on to complete his trophy collection by winning the competition with Argentina. The success changed 'everything' for Messi, and from that moment on he knew his future wasn't with PSG.
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"I always thank God. I knew he was going to give me a World Cup, I don't know, I felt it," Messi said to infobae. "Luckily he gave himself what we dreamed of so much. Luckily it happened in the end. From that day everything changed for me. Now we can say it."
Messi later made a bold decision to leave PSG and move to the United States to join David Beckham's franchise, and he's now the face of Major League Soccer. He announced his decision after letting his contract with PSG expire, and then revealed that he didn't enjoy his time in the French capital.
Messi did not enjoy his time at Paris Saint Germain (Getty Images)The 36-year-old never wanted to join PSG in the first place, but was essentially forced out of Barcelona after 17 seasons due to financial troubles. "My departure from Barcelona to Paris was not something I wanted, I did not want to leave and it happened from one day to the next, it also took a while for me to quickly get used to a totally different place both in the city and in sports and made difficult," Messi admitted during a Miami press conference.
"But that is the complete opposite of what is happening to me here, thank God." Messi now looks at home in Miami, and has been joined by former teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to help with the transition.
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Trophies follow Messi wherever he goes as he continues to bring success "It was very easy for me to adapt because we were convinced to come to this place and the people made everything very easy, both the club and the fans and the people I meet on the street," Messi added. "The city is spectacular and makes it possible for me to live day-to-day in peace.
"The kids will start school soon too and that also makes you settle in so even though we still have a bit to go. Everything was much easier than we thought because the change from Barcelona to Paris was complicated and this was totally different."
Messi then helped deliver Miami their first trophy, as he scored an incredible 10 goals in the Leagues Cup in his first seven appearances. Miami may not have made the MLS Cup Playoffs, but they were almost out of contention before Messi arrived.
The 36-year-old can now relax until February, when the next MLS season will start. Miami are already one of the favourites to win the MLS Cup next season as they'll have a full season with Messi, but he could be joined by another former teammate.
Luis Suarez will leave Brazilian side Gremio at the end of the calendar year, and Miami have released striker Josef Martinez after a single season. Miami head coach Gerardo Martino confirmed publicly that Suarez is their top target, and now that Martinez has been let go they have the salary cap space to afford him.
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