Magic Messi In Miami

With the Champions League Final now in the rearview, the focus is squarely on the summer transfer window.  Despite players not officially being able to be registered with new clubs until July 1st, several marquee moves have already been made.  The most notable transfer is the GOAT, Leo Messi, leaving the City of Lights, and heading west to the southern shores of Florida where he’ll ply his trade David Beckham’s Inter Miami in the MLS.  In turn, Leo not only left Les Blues, but also turned down approaches from his beloved club FC Barcelona and Saudi stalwarts Al-Hilal.  It was reported that Al-Hilal offered the Argentine international a 2 year / $800 million deal.  Meanwhile Barca, a club currently in financial despair, couldn’t yet offer Messi a formal contract because the Spanish side still needed to clear $200 million from its current wage bill.

The move for Messi to Inter Miami is a coup for both the club and Major League Soccer in a whole.  According to Sebastian Salazar of ESPN FC, Inter sold out all of the club’s remaining home games for the 2023-24 season, despite Vice City currently floundering in last place in the league.  In addition, the tickets on the secondary market are being sold at price increases of 1,000% above face value.  Needless to say that with Messi in Miami, seeing a Herons’ match is the hottest sporting attraction in America right now, and assuredly the biggest draw for North American soccer since Pele donned the New York Cosmos kit from 1975-77.

Hey Jude, Hala Madrid!

Another move that has been confirmed is Borussia Dortmund’s midfielding maestro Jude Bellingham heading to the Spanish capitol to play for the Kings of Europe, Real Madrid.  For much of Bellingham’s transfer chase, it was Liverpool, not Real, that seemed to be in pole position to sign the Englishman.  However, once it was clear that the Reds needed more of a midfielding overhaul rather than having the luxury of dumping all its summer resources into one player, the Reds had to bow out the race.  This allowed Madrid to swoop in and sign the teenage sensation for a reported $103 million plus add-ons.  With the addition of Jude, Los Blancos undoubtedly have the best group of midfielders on the planet for both present and future.  Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Freddie Valverde are all under the age of 25, and are coupled with aging world class legends in Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric and World Cup winner Toni Kroos.

That’s it for part one of this ongoing summer transfer series.  Be sure to tune in next week for info regarding players Karim Benzema and Alexis Mac Allister. Adios!