The LaLiga giants are attempting to acquire a franchise in MLS in order to convince Lionel Messi to renew his contract that expires in June 2021.
A few weeks ago, Lionel Messi clearly stated that he would like to live in the United States and play in Major League Soccer towards the end of his career. The Argentine contract with FC Barcelona will end in June 2021 and the LaLiga giants are trying to do everything so Messi can renew his contract.
Acquiring an MLS franchise
On 24 January of this year, FC Barcelona’s members will vote on a new president after Joseph María Bartemu resigned from his job last year due to a tense relations with the players and other members of the board.
One of the presidential candidates, Xavi Vilajoana, wants to acquire a franchise in MLS to convince Messi to stay many more years at Barcelona and when he is ready he would be able to join the affiliate team in the United States.
Unfortunately the LaLiga giants have tried this in the past and failed in their first attempt back in 2008. In that year Joan Laporta, who is running again in this election, was the president and he entered into a strategic partnership with MLS to create a team in Miami, but negotiations didn’t go through and the partnership dissolved in 2009.
Now Vilajoana wants to resume this project with Major League Soccer and offer Messi a partnership as well. Also the presidential candidate would sign Luis Suárez so both players can resume their partnership in the United States before they retire.
Even if Vilajoana is elected, this could be a long-shot for FC Barcelona because they are not doing well financially and in 2023 Major League Soccer will stop their expansion project once they reach the total number of 30 clubs. Charlotte FC is the last franchise that is up for sale and its cost is roughly 325 million dollars.