Lionel Messi's future has been widely speculated about for months. There has long appeared to be a return to FC Barcelona, but Saudi Al Hilal has also reportedly made a billion-dollar offer for the star.
But then yesterday came the message from the Argentine.
"I'm not going to Barcelona, I'm going to Inter Miami," Messi told Mundo Deportivo.
He will thus for the first time in his career play outside of top European football. The MLS club is partly owned by David Beckham.
Since the announcement, Inter Miami has received a major boost, both on social media and at the box office. On Instagram, the number of followers increased from one million to 4.4 million and the ticket price rose by 1,500 percent to SEK 5,000, according to Aftonbladet.
In the clip above, Lionel Messi explains his club choice.
Barcelona's statement
Now Barcelona has also spoken out via its own website.
"Barcelona wish Lionel Messi the best of luck in his new phase of his professional career," the club wrote.
Club President Joan Laporta commented on the decision:
"We understand and respect Messi's decision to want to compete in a league with lower demands, further away from the spotlight and pressure he has had for years."