LIONEL MESSI has reportedly already laid down roots in Florida ahead of his reported transfer to Inter Miami.
The 35-year-old ace, who inspired Argentina to a World Cup win over Mexico last night, is currently playing for French club Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona.
But Messi will be a free agent at the end of the season when his contract expires and a new report states Inter Miami are on the verge of getting Messi.
According to The Times, he is set to be made the highest paid player in MLS history by joining David Beckham's franchise at the end of the current campaign.
Discussing his future plans earlier this year, he told Spanish TV station La Sexta earlier this year: "My plan is to give all I can for the club at the moment.
"I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there, but ultimately come back to Barcelona in some capacity.
"I'm not thinking too far ahead in the short-term and just want to see how the season finishes."
According to Madrid-based radio station Cadena Ser, Messi has already made his first move towards Miami with the purchase of a luxury apartment in the city.
A pad worth at least $9million was reportedly purchased by the Argentine in 2021.
The swanky Porsche Design Tower, completed in 2017, sits on the Sunny Isles beachfront in Miami.
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Branded by the German supercar manufacturer of the same name, the building boasts three car lifts allowing residents to park their vehicle on the same floor as their suite.
The forward is said to prefer to school his three kids Stateside while seeing out his playing days.
And that obviously heightens talk of a move to David Beckham's Inter Miami.
Last season, they finished 11th in the MLS Eastern Conference while being linked to a wealth of star names.
Blaise Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain joined Inter during the 2020 campaign and Olivier Giroud was reportedly offered an apartment in Porsche Design Tower to tempt him into a move.
Messi, for now, is focused on finally ending his World Cup hoodoo out in Qatar.
He and Argentina face Poland on Wednesday looking to try and seal a spot in the knockouts.
