Inter Miami have terminated Rodolfo Pizarro’s contract so that they can make room for Lionel Messi in the squad.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has agreed to move to the MLS after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired at the end of June.
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Despite Barcelona and Saudi clubs interested in his signature, Messi will be playing for David Beckham’s Inter Miami next season.
But to make room for the World Cup winner, some sacrifices have had to be made.
And that has come in the form of Pizarro, who has had his contract scrapped and a move to Greek side AEK Athens has followed, according to Transfermarkt’s Manuel Veth.
MLS has strict rulings over Designated Players (DPs) which allows just three players to earn over the division’s salary cap.
At Inter Miami, Pizarro was one of the DPs along with captain Gregore and forward Leonardo Campana.
Messi will be earning a reported maximum of £120million-a-year in Florida while the MLS salary cap is set at £4m per team ($5.2m per team).
With Pizarro leaving for AEK Athens, though, it means that the former PSG star can now officially sign a contract with Inter Miami.
The Mexico international was the favourite to be axed to make way for the 36-year-old after becoming something of a bit-part player at the DRV PNK Stadium.
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The attacking midfielder spent two years on loan at Mexican club Monterrey, where he made 32 appearances and scored once.
He did return earlier this year, playing 15 matches. But the 29-year-old was less than pleased with the DP rules in the MLS.
He said: “I do think it’s hard, I have a contract. I didn’t know I could be traded anyways.
“It’s a bit strange. I think it’s the only league in the world that does this.”
New Inter Miami coach Tata Martino also spoke out on the matter, saying: “There’s the football and then there’s the aspect that is strictly administrative regarding what his future will be.
“It won’t be something that will be determined from a football perspective.”
Messi might be joined in Vice City by some of his old Barcelona pals including Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
Both have left the Camp Nou this summer after extensive and legendary careers and MLS is an option, as well as Saudi Arabia.
