MLS Commissioner Don Garber says ‘outside the box’ thinking is required if any MLS side wants to sign Messi
With his contract due to expire in the Summer, Messi is tipped with a move to an MLS side. MLS Commissioner Don Garber spoke to The Athletic about the supposed move, revealing the league’s intention to structure a financial package that could see someone like Messi play in MLS, a package akin to the one that was structured for Beckham in 2007.
Will MLS be able to afford Messi?
Garber told The Athletic: “You’re dealing with perhaps the most special player in the history of the game. So when there are rumours of him connected to Miami, that’s great. And if it could happen, it would be terrific for MLS, it would be terrific for Messi and his family, and like everything with us, we try to run every opportunity down. If we have the opportunity to do that, it’s going to be outside the box.
“We’re gonna have to structure a deal that’s going to compensate him in ways that he and his family expect“
“We’re gonna have to structure a deal that’s going to compensate him in ways that he and his family expect. What that is? Honestly, we don’t know today, but he’s probably not going to be a (targeted allocation money) player.”
The Argentine is having a great season with PSG on top of winning the World Cup for Argentina. He also won his second FIFA Best Player award last week. There are ongoing negotiations with PSG for a new deal for Messi but if he decides to leave, there would be suitors lining up for his signature.
