Inter Miami's co-owner has now revealed the giant salary Lionel Messi will earn at the club.
Speaking in an interview with El Pais, the Florida outfit's co-owner Jorge Mas has revealed that the Argentine superstar will earn "between $50 and $60 million per year" (R939 million and R1 billion) in basic salary and bonuses in the United States.
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It was also confirmed that the 36-year-old's contract is currently being finalised, while the attacker could make his debut for the club later this month on 21 July, against Cruz Azul of Mexico in a mid-season tournament.
"In terms of closing, the contract with Apple was very important," Mas explained.
"(The negotiations lasted) three years. One-and-a-half years negotiating intensely. Lots of conversations with Jorge (Messi, Lionel's dad).
"I viewed it as done at the end of May. David (Beckham, Inter Miami co-owner) talked to Leo, only over footballing topics, because he was still playing at PSG. He didn't want him to feel any pressure."
Former FC Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets will also join Messi in Miami, with Mas insisting that it was important to bring in other famous stars to play with the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.
"For us, it was essential to surround Messi with players at his level," Mas added.
"We've been talking to Busquets for more or less a year. He'll be very important in the locker room, even more so for the academy players.
"Two or three more players are coming. We have talked to Jordi Alba. (Luis Suarez) is under contract – he has a (release) clause, and I don't know if he'd leave.
"We've also conversed with (Angel) Di Maria, but it looks like he's on the verge of signing elsewhere. All of the announcements will be made before July 15."
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Mas also confirmed that Messi will acquire an ownership stake in a Major League soccer team once he retires, and highlighted that the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner's blockbuster signing is the third biggest arrival in the league's history after Pele in 1975 and Beckham in 2007.
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