Credit: Twitter
Nick Marsman, the goalkeeper who recently questioned Inter Miami's capacity to attract Lionel Messi, has opted to end his contract with the Major League Soccer (MLS) team that he and David Beckham share ownership of, Inter Miami. The team declared that it has terminated Marsman's MLS contract by using the Salary Budget Charge buyout, putting an end to his employment with them.
Also watch: Lionel Messi's freekick helps Inter Miami cruise into Leagues Cup quarterfinals
Marsman, who transferred from Feyenoord to Inter Miami in July 2021, made 30 appearances for the team across competitions. He had eight clean sheets and allowed 45 goals. Drake Callender, who stood out with his performances in his starting games, beat him out for the starting spot.
As Messi was rumored to join the MLS team after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired in 2023, Marsman left Inter Miami after making some contentious remarks about the club's willingness to accommodate him. In a June 2023 interview with ESPN, Marsman stated: "I personally think that this club is not ready for Messi’s arrival. We have a temporary stadium and people can just walk on the pitch, there are no gates. We also leave for the stadium without security. I think they aren’t ready.”
Beckham, who worked hard to get Messi to Inter Miami and give the team a household name, reportedly found Marsman's comments offensive. According to the Spanish publication Marca, Beckham terminated Marsman's contract with the team by using the MLS regulation that permits each club to buy out one player's contract during the season.
Also watch: Lionel Messi and FC Dallas fans get into post-match brawl outside stadium
The regulation benefits both the player and the team because it gives the athlete some sort of financial reward while giving the team more flexibility with their roster and perhaps even some financial savings.
Inter Miami confirmed Marsman’s exit in an official statement on their website, Marsman is now a free agent and can sign with any other club. Meanwhile, Messi has been in supreme form for the American club, scoring goals at will, with seven goals in just four games.
