Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has now broken his silence on Lionel Messi's blockbuster move to the United States.
Messi's confirmed transfer to Inter Miami is expected to be the biggest deal in Major League Soccer since David Beckham joined La Galaxy in 2007 in a move worth a skyrocketing $250 million (R4.5 billion).
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The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is set to pocket a reported $150 million (R2.7 billion) in wages and bonuses, but that amount is expected to increase significantly once commercial partnerships with Apple and adidas are factored into the deal, while other major corporations could still contribute further.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is yet to officially be unveiled by the Beckham-co-owned team as he remains on the international break with the Albiceleste.
His former manager of four years at FC Barcelona, Guardiola, has now reacted to his former talisman's big move after recently clinching his first continental treble since last doing so with Messi at the Camp Nou.
According to the Daily Mirror, the City boss told reporters: "I am out of this situation, you know more about it than I do.
"If in the end Leo decides to go to the United States, I am sure he will do well and that is the best decision for him. I ignore the inner gossip.
"And the money over there is very good, I won't comment about it."
Meanwhile, the 35-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain star himself recently hailed the Spanish tactician as the best manager on the planet after making history with the Citizens.
"I talk a lot with Guardiola and [have] kept in frequent contact," Messi told Titan Sports last week.
"I'm very happy with what he's achieved, [winning] the last Champions League.
"He's the best coach in the world although, for me, he didn't have to win this Champions League to prove it, but [it is] an achievement he deserves."
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Messi's first match for Inter Miami could come as early as 21 July, when his new team takes on Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup tournament.
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