Inter Miami president and co-owner David Beckham and billionaire Jorge Mas revealed the possibility of recruiting two big stars for the team in 2025, De Bruyne and Neymar. At the same time, Messi received a big award from MLS.
Messi was voted the best player of the 2024 MLS season (American professional soccer league), even though he and Inter Miami could not advance in the play-off stage to compete for the MLS Cup championship.
“I would have liked to have received this award in a different situation, maybe playing in the MLS Cup final this weekend. But that’s the nature of football, you have to surpass yourself every day.
We had a big dream to win the MLS Cup this year. It didn’t happen, but next year we will come back stronger to try again. That’s all we have to do, and especially now when you’re young. Fight for your dream, work hard and fight for what you want. In the end, the sacrifice and the effort will pay off,” Messi said in a message to the Inter Miami Academy players after receiving the MLS trophy.
In the 2024 season, Messi only played 19 matches for Inter Miami in MLS, but scored 20 goals and had 16 assists. He helped the home team win the Supporters’ Shield (points round) with a new record of 74 points. Won a place in major tournaments such as the FIFA Club World Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup.
In addition, Messi’s effect helps MLS become the second most attended league in the world, after the Premier League in 2024.
Specifically, the MLS in 2024 (still having the MLS Cup final) has attracted 12.1 million viewers, second only to the Premier League in first place with a total of 14.6 million viewers. The number of viewers in MLS surpasses the Bundesliga (Germany) with 12 million viewers, Serie A (Italy) with 11.6 million viewers and La Liga (Spain) with 10.7 million viewers.
However, Messi’s win as MLS Player of the Year in 2024 was controversial, largely because he and Inter Miami failed to win the MLS Cup. Messi received 38.43% of the votes, far ahead of runner-up Cucho Hernandez of Columbus Crew, who received 33.7%. Players and media voted for Messi the most, while club representatives placed Cucho Hernandez higher.
Messi was presented with the award in a very impressive way by the MLS organizers, when he received the title from his sons and all the young players from the Inter Miami Academy were present at Chase’s home stadium to celebrate.
Billionaire Jorge Mas has just confirmed to GiveMeSport : “We are ambitious. If there is a possibility to bring a player of Neymar’s caliber to Inter Miami, we will not hesitate. It is not just me who decides. The decision depends on the player and the tournament. But it is true that we want to build a great squad here.”
Neymar is facing the possibility of leaving Al Hilal Club (Saudi Arabia) in January 2025. Recently, there have been rumors that Neymar will return to play in Brazil, but his father, who is also his agent, Mr. Neymar Santos Sr., still leaves all possibilities open.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami Club intends to revive the MSN trio (Messi, Suarez and Neymar), but cannot officially negotiate to recruit this star because of the very high transfer fee and salary.
Messi himself confirmed: “We are in constant contact with Neymar. It’s very difficult now, he has a contract in Saudi Arabia until June 2025. But life has many turns and anything can happen. Let’s wait and see.”
Meanwhile, according to Mirror Football (UK), Mr. David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, has suddenly promoted and put midfielder Kevin De Bruyne of Man City as a recruitment target for his team in the near future.
De Bruyne’s contract with Man City is about to expire (June 2025), and so far the 33-year-old Belgian star has not decided to extend it. There are rumors that De Bruyne wants to play in the US, while many clubs in Saudi Arabia also want to recruit him.
