"It is on my mind" – 2014 FIFA World Cup winner keeps door open to joining Inter Miami, hails Lionel Messi as 'best player in the world'
Ex-Germany star Mario Gotze has opened up on potentially moving to Inter Miami in the future and has heaped huge praise on Lionel Messi.
During a recent interview with Transfermarkt, Gotze was asked if Inter Miami's earlier reported interest in him was false. The German replied:
"No, that was the case. I was 28 back then, and my contract in Dortmund ran out [in the summer of 2020]. I was in touch with the guys at Inter Miami. We spoke about it then, and it was a possibility. Yup, [it was more than a rumor]."
Hinting that he is keen to ply his trade in the United States, he added:
"I have said a couple of times that I really like the United States. We travel there often with the family. We have been to [Los Angeles], New York, and Miami, along the East and the West Coast. It is very interesting, especially also with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. So, it is on my mind. But I have a contract with Frankfurt for two more years, and the upcoming season is the main focus."
When asked if he could join Messi's outfit in the future, he responded:
"I have learned in the past, especially in football, that it is better not to plan."
Gotze, who denied Messi a win in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, is in the final two years of his contract at Eintracht Frankfurt. He has netted seven goals and laid out 13 assists in 87 matches for his current club.
Mario Gotze hails Argentina's Lionel Messi
Speaking to Transfermarkt, Mario Gotze shared his two cents on the Major League Soccer's (MLS) growth in the recent past. He opined:
"[I pay attention to] the MLS now... how they grow the sport. You have all these superstars there, for example, [Lionel] Messi and [Inter Miami co-owner David] Beckham in Miami, to create that media hype around the MLS. I follow it, and I think it is a good progression, and it feels like they are ensuring a good development."
Labeling Lionel Messi as the best player right now, Gotze continued:
"He is the best player in the world. He has been good for the MLS and his club. And I think it was a good move for him as well. I think it is a win-win situation for everyone involved."
So far, the 37-year-old Argentina legend has bagged 25 goals and laid out 16 assists in 29 appearances across competitions for Inter Miami.
The left-footed attacker is currently recovering from an ankle injury.