He was one step away from joining Al Hilal after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, but the deal was not completed in the end, as the Argentine star preferred to join Inter Miami to start a new phase in his career, according to global sports websites.
In statements made by Messi during his attendance at a media seminar at the American Business Forum, he talked in detail about his previous transfers. He added about his time at Paris Saint-Germain: “In Paris, I did not have a good time and did not enjoy my time for many reasons, including everything being new and completely different from what I was used to. However, we adapted and witnessed positive things that helped us continue to grow and live in general.”
In a move that confirmed his commitment to the American experience, Messi, aged 38, recently announced the renewal of his contract until 2028, meaning his continuation in American fields which he ventured into two years ago amid immense fan and media excitement.
His previous contract was set to expire next December, but the Argentine national team captain and 2022 World Cup champion chose to stay with the team where he found comfort, stability, and challenge in Miami, which has become a symbol of his new phase after years of achievements in Barcelona and his recent experience at Paris Saint-Germain.
It is noteworthy that he joined Inter Miami in July 2023 as part of a free transfer deal after the end of his European journey, with his first contract lasting two and a half years. During his past two seasons with the team, he won the Best Player award for 2024 and received the Golden Boot for 2025 after scoring 29 goals in 28 matches.
According to “Transfermarkt,” Messi played 82 matches with Inter Miami, during which he scored 71 goals and made 37 assists, continuing to write new chapters in his historic career in American fields.
