Topic: Lionel Messi

[mikey_LFC]

Just a new MLS where some good players go to retire. No top player will ever play in Saudi Arabia at the height of their career.

I agree, just thinking it might be a good thing, like a reset for the game that might allow people enjoy the domestic game more on the whole.

I certainly don’t think a Saudi Super League would catch on.

[Suareznumber7]

Just a new MLS where some good players go to retire. No top player will ever play in Saudi Arabia at the height of their career.

This right here.  It's a retirement plan for those guys.  Nothing more.   

[Red-Soldier]

This right here.  It's a retirement plan for those guys.  Nothing more.   

Yeah.  They could do with the cash.

[The G in Gerrard]

Guess he doesn't love Barcelona if he doesn't return.

[mikey_LFC]

Guess he doesn't love Barcelona if he doesn't return.

Ballague reckons the Barca pursuit isn’t actually true but is Barca wanting the good  press of trying to suggest they attempted to get him back.

[Ray K]

About to be confirmed he's joining Inter Miami, apparently.  I imagine that not being coached by Phil Neville was a major consideration in all this.  Still, good that he's not joining the rest of the players in Saudi Arabia (even if he is taking all those petrodollars from them).

[Hazell]

About to be confirmed he's joining Inter Miami, apparently.  I imagine that not being coached by Phil Neville was a major consideration in all this.  Still, good that he's not joining the rest of the players in Saudi Arabia (even if he is taking all those petrodollars from them).

I'm surprised at this too and it's some good news that he's not just taking the money and going to Saudi Arabia (I know he has more money than he'll ever need) after reading about the likes of Benzema and Kante and the PGA. The MLS is a decent standard as well I think. And yeah, not being coached by Phil Neville is a huge bonus.

[Red-Soldier]

I'm surprised at this too and it's some good news that he's not just taking the money and going to Saudi Arabia (I know he has more money than he'll ever need) after reading about the likes of Benzema and Kante and the PGA. The MLS is a decent standard as well I think. And yeah, not being coached by Phil Neville is a huge bonus.

He's taking the money option, just not the greater money option.

[Hazell]

He's taking the money option, just not the greater money option.

Well yeah, he's going to be paid handsomely, but not as handsomely as if he went to Saudi Arabia. Just trying to find a positive in all this!

[mikey_LFC]

He's taking the money option, just not the greater money option.

I honestly don’t think he had an offer other than Saudi or US. The Barca offer was blag, he’s not going to Newcastle and Man City don’t really do those kind of signings..

[tubby]

He's already taken/is taking loads of oil money.

[mikey_LFC]

He's already taken/is taking loads of oil money.

True, but again, I think his only offers were PSG or City, weren’t they?

If not for the existence of state owned clubs inflating wages and transfer fees, I think it seems likely Messi would have stayed at Barca his entire career. Problem is, they tried chasing after the success still with big signings and came up a cropper as is the possibility when competing with those sides.

[Samie]

Like Fatso said he's already an ambassador for Saudi anyway.

Miami is a great city to live in, has a Latin American heritage and glorious weather.  He'll end up buying a club as well too.

[Hazell]

He's already taken/is taking loads of oil money.

That's true as well and I'm not holding him up as some paragon of virtue but... I'm sorry, what was the question again?

[mikey_LFC]

Like Fatso said he's already an ambassador for Saudi anyway.

Miami is a great city to live in, has a Latin American heritage and glorious weather.  He'll end up buying a club as well too.

True, there’s certainly no need to take their money outside of sport.

[tubby]

That's true as well and I'm not holding him up as some paragon of virtue but... I'm sorry, what was the question again?

Favourite SF2 character.

[Hazell]

Favourite SF2 character.

Chun-Li by far.

[Ray K]

He's taking his talents to South Beach.

Interview this evening with a Barca paper:
'I made the decision that I am going to go to Miami. I still haven't closed it one hundred percent. I'm missing some things but we decided to continue the path.'

[Samie]

https://twitter.com/spectatorindex/status/1666532663082258432

Inter Miami gains over a million followers on social media within 10 minutes after Messi announces decision to play with them.

[I've been a good boy]

Messi getting instructions and tactical advice from Phil Neville would've been a sight to see.

[Caligula?]

It makes sense. He already has a house there and will feel right at home given the large Latin/Spanish speaking community.

Not to mention that the deal includes sponsorships from Adidas and Apple. It might just become more lucrative than what the Saudis were offering.

[TepidT2O]

I have to say this makes sense on a moral and sporting level.

He has saved Barcelona from themselves, they shouldn’t be ruining them selves to sign a 35 year old… and he’s walked away with dignity rather than selling himself to the hugest bidder.

A dignified retirement

[Samie]

It makes sense. He already has a house there and will feel right at home given the large Latin/Spanish speaking community.

Not to mention that the deal includes sponsorships from Adidas and Apple. It might just become more lucrative than what the Saudis were offering.

Saudis were offering him close to a BILLION Dollars over 3 years mate. 

[groove]

It's still a bit weird if you ask me. If you look at his data, he's still pretty much the best player in the world. He does everything De Bruyne does, but also scores more goals and carries the ball better. And he's going to play in the MLS, which is what? Championship level?

[rob1966]

Saudis were offering him close to a BILLION Dollars over 3 years mate. 

Yeah, but the Americans don't chop your head off if you don't play well

[S]

It's still a bit weird if you ask me. If you look at his data, he's still pretty much the best player in the world. He does everything De Bruyne does, but also scores more goals and carries the ball better. And he's going to play in the MLS, which is what? Championship level?

I thought the same thing. I kind of wanted to see him play in Serie A for example. Seems weird to call time on his career so early.

[groove]

Barcelona president insinuating that Messi just wants to be out of the limelight now and play without pressure (and earn some fat stacks, obviously). Guess it makes sense given that he's achieved pretty much everything there is to do but it's gonna be a bit wild watching him play in the MLS to be honest. I remember watching Henry swan around there chipping goalkeepers from 40 yards and stuff.

[groove]

Oh, well he's said it himself actually. He had an offer from another big European team but he was only interested in Barca who never made a formal offer so he's gone to America to chill out. Fair enough.

[Ray K]

Yeah, but the Americans don't chop your head off if you don't play well

They're much more civilized. It's usually AR-15s for them.

[Crosby Nick]

Messi getting instructions and tactical advice from Phil Neville would've been a sight to see.

Can’t be a coincidence this was announced after Pip was sacked.

[Black Bull Nova]

Messi (35/36) joins Inter Miami retires from football on a massive pension but carries on playing for fun
Benzema (35) joins Al-Ittihad retires from football on a massive pension but carries on playing for fun
Suarez (36) joins Inter Miami retires from football on a massive pension but carries on playing for fun
Kante (32) joins Al Ittihad retires from football on a massive pension but carries on playing for fun
Ronaldo (38) joins Al-Nassr retires from football on a massive pension but carries on playing for fun
That's quite a big wave of big name retirements, museum football at its best

[Shankly998]

I have to say this makes sense on a moral and sporting level.

He has saved Barcelona from themselves, they shouldn’t be ruining them selves to sign a 35 year old… and he’s walked away with dignity rather than selling himself to the hugest bidder.

A dignified retirement

A lot closer to Argentina as well Miami compared with Saudi Arabia

Barcelona president insinuating that Messi just wants to be out of the limelight now and play without pressure (and earn some fat stacks, obviously). Guess it makes sense given that he's achieved pretty much everything there is to do but it's gonna be a bit wild watching him play in the MLS to be honest. I remember watching Henry swan around there chipping goalkeepers from 40 yards and stuff.

That's just a saving face comment for the press Barcelona can't afford to get him back because of their terrible financial mismanagement. It really is amazing how you can go from Pep's Barcelona stacked with homegrown talent they didn't need to pay transfer fees for to this.

[rafathegaffa83]

He's probably thought after winning the WC he's accomplished all he needs to do. It would probably be too high pressure to rejoion Newells Old Boys. This way he can still play with fewer commitments and is going to a place where his family already are settled

[Skeeve]

I'm surprised at this too and it's some good news that he's not just taking the money and going to Saudi Arabia (I know he has more money than he'll ever need) after reading about the likes of Benzema and Kante and the PGA. The MLS is a decent standard as well I think. And yeah, not being coached by Phil Neville is a huge bonus.

Isn't it roughly upper League 1 to lower Championship standard?

[rafathegaffa83]

No surprise that Tata Martino is lined up to replace Phil Neville. I'd imagine Messi will have some influence on recruitment

[afc tukrish]

No surprise that Tata Martino is lined up to replace Phil Neville. I'd imagine Messi will have some influence on recruitment

Tata knows the league, did a great job at Atlanta...

[Lynx the saucy mynx]

Could of gone there with an extra European cup if it wasn't for a certain corner.

[Caligula?]

Could of gone there with an extra European cup if it wasn't for a certain corner.

Spurs would have smashed them in the final

[thaddeus]

Fair play to Messi for turning down Saudi Arabian blood money!  The latest rumour of him being offered £400m+/season by Al-Hilal must surely be exaggerated.

Inter Miami seemingly going down the aged legends route as they're also heavily linked with Di Maria, Busquets and Suarez.  All class acts but they'll need some legs around them as the MLS isn't a retirement home.

[Mister Flip Flop]

Always thought he's a bit of a cnut but will give him respect for turning down the blood soaked cash from Saudi.