Threatened to be kicked out because of Lionel Messi, Inter Miami star, Rodolfo Pizarro, criticised the rules of Major League Soccer (MLS). The reason is, MLS rules require Pizarro to leave Inter Miami due to the arrival of La Pulga – the nickname of Lionel Messi.
As is well known, Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Thursday 8 June 2023. La Pulga -nicknamed Messi – is contracted by Inter Miami for three years or until 2025 with a salary of around USD 50 million-60 million per year.
Lionel Messi himself will officially become part of the Inter Miami squad on Wednesday 12 July 2023. This is in line with the opening of the United States League transfer market, aka MLS, in the summer of 2023.
However, the arrival of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami should actually make some of the Florida club’s players feel a negative impact. One of them, Inter Miami star Rodolfo Pizarro, who is predicted to be the victim of the arrival of the owner of seven Ballon d’Or titles.
Rodolfo Pizarro may have to leave Inter Miami to make room for Lionel Messi. Because, in the MLS salary regulations, there is a special rule called The Designated Player or players appointed by the club.
Through this rule, MLS can register a maximum of three players with salaries outside the wage limit in the United States League. The rules, imposed in 2007, were meant to allow MLS to compete with foreign clubs for star players.
Rodolfo Pizarro himself is one of the three players appointed at Inter Miami. The attacking midfielder from Mexico joined Inter Miami in 2020 for the highest fee at the club, receiving USD 3 million per year.
Therefore, the presence of Lionel Messi requires Inter Miami to dispose of one of the three designated players. Since Rodolfo Pizarro has played less well this season than his 12 appearances with only one assist recorded, it is likely that he will become a discarded name.
After being threatened with being kicked out because of the arrival of Lionel Messi, Rodolfo Pizarro also criticised the rules of Major League Soccer (MLS). The 29-year-old player was disappointed with the MLS rules which required him to leave Inter Miami due to the presence of La Pulga.
“I think it’s difficult. I still have a contract with the team, but I didn’t know that I could be sold. It’s a bit strange,” said Rodolfo Pizarro, quoted from The Athletic, Saturday (8/7/2023).
“I think this (MLS) is the only league in the world that does this. It’s happened to a lot of teammates who were there one day and not the next. It rarely happens, but it’s a rule and you have to stick to it.” added the former Chivas de Guadalajara player.
