Inter Miami CEO Jorge Mas has broken the hearts of FC Barcelona fans with his recent verdict on Lionel Messi. Last month, Messi snubbed FC Barcelona and announced his decision to sign for Inter Miami. The Argentine star completed his blockbuster move a couple of weeks ago. Despite playing only two games for his new club, Messi is vying to become the club’s top scorer soon.
During an appearance on the Offside podcast with Taylor Twellman, Jorge Mas talked about Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated farewell match at Spotify Camp Nou. FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that he has been working with Messi’s father, who is also his agent, to work out the details. However, Mas dismissed any rumors about Inter Miami sending Messi to FC Barcelona on loan.
Laporta: “Hopefully sooner or later we can give Messi the farewell he deserves. Thanks to him, Barcelona is what it has been in the last 20 years. I am very sad and ask you for advice on what we can give him.” pic.twitter.com/WuB6UySOEf
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) June 16, 2022
Mas said, “I want to caveat that. I don’t know if it’s some type of friendly or farewell game. They have this Gamper Trophy they play for in the summer. But there will be something where, hopefully when the new Camp Nou is open, because their stadium there they will not be playing in for the next year and a half, hopefully, Lionel Messi can say his proper goodbye.“
🚨🎙️| Jorge Mas [Inter Miami’s owner] on Leo Messi’s farewell game:
🗣️ “I don’t know if it’s some type of friendly or farewell game. They have this Gamper Trophy, but there will be something where, hopefully when the new Camp Nou is open, hopefully Lionel Messi can say his… pic.twitter.com/zYUClGmIVs
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) July 29, 2023
Mas added, “That does not entail playing for Barcelona. He’s not going to go on loan there. That’s not going to happen.” Jorge Mas further reiterated that he will do everything in his power to make sure that Messi gets his “deserving” farewell at the Spotify Camp Nou. Currently, Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs for two and a half seasons, till the middle of 2025.
David Beckham backs Lionel Messi to change the face of soccer in the USA
Inter Miami CEO Jorge Mas and co-owner David Beckham managed to pull off one of the greatest soccer coups of all time when Lionel Messi signed for Inter Miami. Although soccer stars like Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerard, Kaka, and Beckham himself have played in the MLS, none of them come close to the aura of Messi.
Within just two games, Lionel Messi has managed to single-handedly change the fortunes of Inter Miami. Not only did Messi help to end the club’s winless streak but he is also pulling huge crowds to the stadiums.
Moreover, several celebrities are also coming to see the greatness of the former FC Barcelona star. Speaking to The Athletic, David Beckham recently talked about the potential impact that Messi can have in the USA.
Beckham said, “Leo saw he could not just change the face of football in this country, he could inspire the next generation and there’s no better way of doing that than by walking on our pitch in Miami and having all of the kids talking about him, watching and learning.” The former Manchester United star further claimed that Messi has the power to make soccer even more “bigger and better” in the USA.