Florida can be a heaven for renowned sports personalities. Just ask Tiger Woods, one of the most recognizable faces in the game of golf. But the question of who is the GOAT around the town gets tricky and difficult to answer after the arrival of soccer legend Lionel Messi.

Interestingly, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward is thought to have rejected a number of other lucrative offers to continue his trophy-laden career in the States. But what’s the hidden reason behind Messi’s move to Miami, a high-profile city in Florida, and does it raise questions about Woods and other sports personalities residing in the American state?

Why did Lionel Messi choose Miami to continue his soccer legacy?

Messi’s decision to join the MLS side has largely come across as bewildering for fans worldwide. After joining French club Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, Messi’s Inter Miami signing, a club that was founded a few years back in 2018, has been a big talking point of late.

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Additionally, the 2022 World Cup winner allegedly received astronomical figures from the cash-rich Saudi Pro League. The move would have seen him contest head-to-head against arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom Messi shared the sport’s biggest stages for over a decade.

However, the Argentinian eventually signed for Florida side Inter Miami, a club owned by former English superstar David Beckham. But are Messi’s soccer ambitions limited to his playing time in the MLS or is there much more to the story?

How Florida plays a key role in Messi’s million-dollar contract

After Barcelona and Paris, Messi will call Miami his home for the next few years, which bodes well for his lucrative sports brand. Indeed, the biggest advantage of living in Florida is the absence of a state individual income tax. Merely a handful of states are tax-free, which includes Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming, and Alaska.

For someone who had past brushes with tax prosecutors, Messi would be keen on the prospect of living in Miami. During his stint at Spanish side FC Barcelona, the Argentinian was under prolonged scrutiny for his financial tax dealings.

It eventually led to a court appearance, where Messi was charged with fraud and negligence and sentenced to 21 months in prison. While he never really spent a day behind bars, the incident must have brought the player to understand tax dealings. That experience must have played a role in his move to Florida.

Additionally, the state of Florida is increasingly cooperative when it comes to transferring intellectual property to holding or other companies. For a global superstar like Messi, complete control of image rights and other assets is key, which will be helpful to keep tabs on in Miami.

Indeed, these reasons indicate why some of the most renowned athletes reside in the state. Golf legend Tiger Woods made the affluent neighborhood of Jupiter Island his home shortly after his marriage to Elin Nordegren in 2006.

MLB icon Derek Jeter also owns a luxurious mansion in the Davis Islands neighborhood. The $200 million-worth spent his entire baseball career with the New York Yankees and now works as a business executive.

Indeed, the lure of living in Florida is enticing. With Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami sealed, the state will embrace yet another sports icon.

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