10 June 2023 , 01:00
795
0
Lionel Messi has agreed a big-money move to Inter Miami - and he already has an incredible apartment waiting for him.
The Argentinian superstar will leave Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent at the end of this month. He was linked with a return to Barcelona and offered huge money by Al-Hilal to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
But, instead, he has been tempted to join David Beckham's Inter Miami in the biggest MLS transfer since Becks joined LA Galaxy back in 2007. Messi will earn a huge financial package, boosted by agreements with league sponsors Apple and Adidas.
The move will also enable him to move in full-time to the huge apartment he purchased in the city back in 2022. He initially purchased a luxury penthouse in 2019, but that was then put up for sale after he purchased his spot in the Porsche Design Tower.
The property includes huge living spaces (Getty Images Europe)According to Spanish outlet Cadena Sar, the 35-year-old paid £7.5m to land himself his latest property near the beachfront in Miami. The vast apartment boasts incredible views and an open plan design.
Apple TV release MLS Season Pass worldwide and announce free opening weekend
The Porsche Design Tower, which was completed in 2017, offers the ideal spot for the player and his family to settle into their Florida life - a move which will now be made permanent.
The property's unique selling point is a car lift, which allows residents to park their car and then have it on the same floor as them in the apartment block. The suite also includes huge living spaces with high ceilings and all the mod cons you'd expect.
Lionel Messi has paid £7.5m for the property (Getty Images Europe)
The player is keen to living in the States before his career ends (AFP via Getty Images)Messi admitted he could have gone for an emotional homecoming at Barcelona, but instead opted for a new challenge to leave Europe for the first time.
He told Spanish newspapers Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo this week: “The truth is that I had offers from another European team, but I didn't even evaluate it because in Europe my only idea was to go to Barcelona.
“After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barça, it was time to go to the United States League to live football differently.
“I want to enjoy more the day to day. Obviously with the same responsibility and desire to want to win and to always do things well. But more calmly.”
Will Messi leave PSG for the MLS this summer? Tell us what you think here.
A car lift is included in the luxury apartment block (Getty Images Europe)Messi will have a tough job on his hands to turn things around for Beckham's franchise. They currently sit bottom of the Eastern Conference and dismissed Phil Neville as head coach earlier in the week.
However, a familiar face has been linked with the vacancy in the form of former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino. And Messi has already told Sergio Aguero that he must get his new club into the play-offs.
Aguero revealed to ESPN Argentina: "I spoke to Messi yesterday, I sent him a message with a screenshot of the Eastern Conference standings.
MLS ace training alone after missing out on dream Barcelona transfer by seconds
"I said: ‘Your team is behind! You have to move up to 8th/9th!' Messi cracked up. He said, ‘We have to make the playoffs!'"