Messi may join Beckham as Inter Miami owner, reports say

Field Level Media/Reuters

3 years ago

FILE - In this Jan.14, 2018 file photo FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi kicks the ball and scores the fourth goal of his team against Real Sociedad during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad, at Anoeta stadium, in San Sebastian, northern Spain. Barcelona announced Thursday Aug. 5, 2021 that Lionel Messi will not stay with the club. He is leaving after 17 successful seasons in which he propelled the Catalan club to glory, helping it win numerous domestic and international titles since debuting as a teenager. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos, File)

(Reuters) — Lionel Messi will come to play for Inter Miami CF with a 35 percent ownership stake when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in June 2023, Alex Candal of DirecTV Sports reported.

That would be roughly $225 million based on current valuation of the team. Per the report, Messi would sign the deal in August.

Messi’s camp denied the claims, per French outlet Le Parisien.

“It is completely false. Leo has not yet decided on his future.”

Messi, 34, joined PSG last summer after 16 seasons playing for FC Barcelona. He has won seven Ballon D’Or — Golden Ball — awards as the best player in the world.

Inter Miami are in their third season of MLS. Co-owner David Beckham posted photos to his social media accounts Monday with members of PSG in Doha, Qatar, including Messi.