World soccer superstar Lionel Messi will be taking his talents to South Beach, according to British news outlet The Times.
Messi, 35, would reportedly join the David Beckham-owned Major League Soccer side Inter Miami from French club Paris Saint-Germain after the conclusion of the Ligue 1 season next summer. Messi’s contract with PSG will expire in July and the story states he is set to become the highest-paid player in MLS.
The Times further reported that Messi is already acclimated with south Florida. The Argentine owns a house in Miami and regularly spends his summer stateside.
Messi’s relationship with Beckham was part of his decision-making. They were both long-time ambassadors at Adidas. Beckham originally acquired the club in 2014 after triggering his $25 million option to start an MLS franchise, which he had received from the league when signing his original contract with the LA Galaxy in 2007.
In the midst of a World Cup campaign, Messi scored his eighth goal in his 21st World Cup match on Saturday in a 2-0 win over Mexico — which equals the late Diego Maradona’s tally in the tournament.