Days After Lionel Messi’s Arrival, $560,000,000 American Side Forced to Sell Superstar to Saudi Club Due to MLS’ Rigidity Despite Being Flexible For Inter Miami

The highly anticipated arrival of Lionel Messi last month created a buzz around the MLS. The Argentine is yet to make his MLS debut but has already hit the ground running with his sensational form. Messi has five goals to his name as he helped a struggling Inter Miami to the round of 16 in the Leagues Cup.

However, amid all this Messi buzz, one of the Twitter handles working with MLS updates has made a shocking claim. Accordingly, it claimed MLS didn’t favor one club as they did with Inter Miami for Messi’s signing. So what are the claims exactly, and how has it affected the club?

Shocking claim against MLS

A Twitter handle named MLS Buzz claimed MLS was rigid towards Columbus Crew’s demands. As a result, Crew had to let their superstar leave for Saudi Arabian club Al Fateh. MLS Buzz tweeted, “Columbus wanted to sign Diego Rossi and keep Zelarayan by making Darlington Nagbe a TAM player Nagbe makes $1,800,000. The max TAM amount is $1,650,000, Don Garber and the league “were not as flexible” towards them as they were towards “other teams” in MLS.”

The Crew, who are worth a staggering $560,000,000, has signed Diego Rossi from the Turkish club, Fenerbahce. Rossi plays as a left winger and is a superb source of goals. Rossi isn’t new to MLS and made the switch on the final day of the MLS transfer window. The 25-year-old cost $6.58 million, as per The Columbus Dispatch, to the MLS side and had a successful stint with LAFC. Rossi won the MLS Golden Boot in the Covid-shortened 2020 campaign with LAFC.  

He will replace Crew’s prolific forward Lucas Zelarayan. He left for Roshn Saudi League side Al Fateh two days back. The fees and salary are undisclosed. The 31-year-old joined Crew in 2019, and since then became a vital part of the team. Crew’s president labeled his departure a tough decision and called the offer from Al Fateh irresistible.

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Crew will return to MLS action on August 20 against high-flying FC Cincinnati. Meanwhile, amid all these claims, Messi is making strides as Inter Miami player.

Lionel Messi makes a glistering start to his American chapter

Messi couldn’t have dreamt of a glorious start for Inter Miami. The struggling Herons were on the verge of ousting from the Leagues Cup. However, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner single-handedly propelled David Beckham’s club to the round of 16.

In the process, the Argentine scored five goals in three appearances. He would hope to continue his goalscoring form to help the Herons. Inter Miami will look to get back to winning ways in the MLS with Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba on the roster. It will be interesting to see whether Messi helps the club to the playoff places.

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Let us know about the impact of Lionel Messi on American soccer.