Lionel Messi has completed his move to Inter Miami on a deal running to 2025, the Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit announced on Saturday.

The 36-year-old Argentina superstar revealed in June he had decided to join the Florida side as his contract with Paris St.-Germain (PSG) came to an end.

With the deal now officially done, Messi is in line to make his debut for his new employers on Friday against Mexico’s Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner said in a statement from the club: “I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the U.S.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project.

“The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.”

Inter Miami are co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, who said: “Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city.

“Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the U.S. and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much.

“Today that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s calibre is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community.

“The next phase of our adventure starts here, and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the pitch.”

MLS commissioner Don Garber said;

“We are overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami CF and MLS, and his decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our League and our sport in North America.

“We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a league of choice for the best players in the game.

“We look forward to seeing his debut for Inter Miami in our Leagues Cup tournament later this month.”

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi arrives after a season in which he helped his country to World Cup glory in Qatar, as well as PSG to the Ligue 1 title.

This was in his first campaign with the French club side in 2021/2022.That adds to an already huge trophy haul on his CV which features four UEFA Champions League successes from his years with FC Barcelona.

He scored a staggering total of 672 goals for the Spanish club side.Joining Miami sees Messi who has also netted more than 100 international goals reunite with coach Gerardo Martino, who he previously worked under with Barca and Argentina.

Martino was appointed in June after the club sacked Beckham’s ex-Manchester United team-mate, Phil Neville.

French giants, Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed that Lionel Messi will leave the club at the end of this season, with the Argentine set to play his final game against Clermont Foot on Saturday, June 3.

PSG manager Christophe Galtier confirmed in a press conference on Thursday afternoon, June 1, that the World Cup winner will depart, with Inter Miami one of many potential destinations. ‘Clermont Foot will be Messi’s final game at PSG,’ said Galtier. ‘I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football. It will be Leo’s last match at the Parc des Princes.’ Messi joined PSG in 2021 and has won two Ligue 1 titles.

The 35-year-old hinted that leaving Barcelona allowed him to mature as a player and some suggest that leaving his comfort zone allowed him to develop the leadership qualities he displayed in winning the Qatar World Cup in December.

French media reported this morning that Messi could make a sensational return to the Camp Nou but that Barcelona would struggle to financially wager a move.

One alternative suggested by L’Equipe, though, is that Messi could join Inter Miami and be loaned to the Catalan club. Inter Miami, managed by Phil Neville, are said to be offering Messi a lucrative package, while there is still interest from Asian clubs.‘I hope that he will be welcomed in the best way,’ added Galtier ahead of Messi’s final game.

PSG have already won the Ligue 1 title. There have also been suggestions that the World Cup winner could be on the verge of signing a lucrative deal with Saudi side Al-Hilal.

Rumours last month claimed that Messi had been offered a contract worth £522million from Al-Hilal, despite the concerns of his wife Antonela Roccuzzo. Messi’s father, Jorge, quickly shut down reports that a decision had been made about his son’s club for next season.

Taking to social media, Messi’s father said:

There is absolutely nothing with any club for next year. The decision will never be made before Lionel finished the league with PSG. Once the season is over it will be time to analyze and see what is there, and then make a decision.

There are always rumors and many use the name of Lionel to gain notoriety but the truth is only one and we can assure that there is nothing with anyone.

Neither verbal, nor signed, nor agreed, and there will not be until the end of the season.’

During his impressive campaign in France, Messi scored 16 goals and recorded 16 assists in the league.

Following the parade, Messi was flown back by helicopter from Buenos Aires to Rosario – some 185 miles away – before he was pictured in a car driven by his wife Antonella Roccuzzo, as they headed home.

Following the parade, Messi was flown back by helicopter from Buenos Aires to Rosario – some 185 miles away – before he was pictured in a car driven by his wife Antonella Roccuzzo, as they headed home.

Upon his arrival, Messi was greeted by hundreds of cheering fans chanting ‘Dale Campeon’ translating to ‘Let’s go champion’.

The jubilant fans had been pushed to two sides by security to clear space for his wife to drive the car through the middle and inside a building.

Messi was born in Rosario and also started his football career playing for Newell’s Old Boys based in the city.

Messi and his family relocated to Barcelona in 2001 when he was 13-years-old and it was at the Spanish club he made his name as one of the greatest players in the world.

Argentina coach, Lionel Scaloni has dropped a hint that Lionel Messi could play in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Messi went into the 2022 competition in Qatar saying it will be his last World Cup, and he signed off in the best possible way by winning the one trophy in the most dramatic final in history.

‘First of all, we need to save him a spot for the World Cup 2026,’ Scaloni said of his star player. ‘If he wants to keep playing, he will be with us.

‘I think he is more than entitled to decide whether he wants to keep playing or what he wants to do with his career.’

In the final clash in Doha, Argentina triumphed 4-2 in a penalty shootout after Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick ensured the game ended level at 3-3 following extra time. Messi, 35, scored twice to win the first World Cup of his glittering career.

After the match, Messi vowed to continue playing international football despite realising his lifetime ambition, but he admitted his career was in its final stages.

“I want to keep experiencing a few more matches as world champion… my career is nearly over because these are my last years,” said Messi, whose next target will be to help his club side Paris Saint-Germain capture a first Champions League title.