Since Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer (MLS) to play for Inter Miami in July 2023, the MLS has been on the rise. And, one of the Argentine’s former club teammates is reportedly close to joining an American soccer club from a reputed La Liga team.
Lionel Messi’s Former Barcelona Teammate Close to MLS Move
Over the past few weeks, Atlético Madrid great Antoine Griezmann has found himself linked with a permanent transfer to the MLS following a drop in his side’s pecking order. He is now set to join Orlando City in the middle of the 2025-26 season, as per Cadena SER.
Griezmann, 34, is believed to be keen to ply his trade in the MLS, with him being an ardent fan of North American sports and the lifestyle offered by the United States. He is set to join Orlando City before the end of the current MLS registration window on Mar. 26.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is likely to represent Atlético Madrid in three more games this season. He is expected to play in the La Liga contest against Real Oviedo this Saturday before facing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Mar. 3. His final game is expected to be against Real Sociedad in a La Liga home encounter on Mar. 7.
Orlando City, who earlier signed well-known stars like Kaká in 2015 and Nani in 2019, have been relentless in their pursuit of Griezmann of late. They leapfrogged Messi’s Inter Miami in the race to sign the former Barcelona attacker, according to the aforesaid report.
Griezmann, meanwhile, played alongside Messi 85 times at Barcelona, winning the 2020-21 Copa del Rey trophy together. He left the Blaugrana to rejoin Atlético on loan in 2021, while the latter also left the Catalans the same year to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
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On a different note, Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has suggested that he can bring the Inter Miami captain back to the La Liga champions before his retirement.
“The undeniable reality is that the reconciliation with Messi will never happen with (current president Joan) Laporta. If we win the elections, Messi’s last dance is possible. He is a role model not only as a footballer but also as a person. He reflects what we Barça fans are like. A hard-working, committed, and honest leader who loves Barça,” Font remarked.
Messi, 38, is currently focused on Inter Miami’s new campaign after he tasted defeat at the hands of Los Angeles FC (LAFC) last Saturday, Feb. 21. He will next be in action in the MLS in a clash against Orlando City at the Inter&Co Stadium on Sunday, Mar. 1.
