Report: Lionel Messi closing in on richest deal in MLS history

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are closing in on a deal to make the soccer superstar the highest paid player in MLS history, according to a Sunday morning report from The Sunday Times in England. 

According to the report, Inter Miami expects to sign Messi, which is owned by David Beckham, following the conclusion of his season with French club Paris Saint-Germain. The new deal would start next summer. 

Messi already has a home in Miami and a close relationship with Beckham. 

The exact dollar amount on the reported deal is not yet known, other than the report that it would make him the highest paid player in league history. 

The 35-year-old Messi is regarded as one of the best players of his era (and all time), and would be a huge addition to both Inter Miami's roster and MLS as a league. MLS has had a history of bringing in big name players at the tail end of their careers (Beckham was the first of those major stars), but Messi is still playing at a level that would make this more than just a victory lap into retirement. He is still elite.

He is currently playing for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and scored a goal in its 2-0 win over Mexico this weekend.