Lionel Messi’s Argentina teammate Exequiel Palacios has said that he had a chance to join his international captain’s current club Inter Miami. Messi has been with the Herons since last year, joining on a free transfer in the summer.

Palacios, 25, currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen, contributing 14 goals and 10 assists in 122 games across competitions since arriving in January 2020. That includes four goals and as many assists in 24 games in their Bundesliga-winning campaign.

The 2024 Copa America winner told Clank (via Inter Miami News) that he was offered a chance to join the Herons in 2019 before he eventually chose Leverkusen. Explaining why he chose the Bundesliga club, Palacios said:

“In 2019, I had two options on the table, Bayer Leverkusen or Inter Miami. Miami offered me more money than Bayer, much more, but there were two things that were on my mind.

“First, I felt that Bayer were more interested in me. They came to my house with a translator to tell me that they wanted me. And then I spoke to Pinola, and he told me not to hesitate, to go to Germany, to go to that league. I discussed it with my family and felt I was ready to go to Europe.”

In Messi and Co.’s triumphant Copa America triumph last month, Palacios appeared two times.

How Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi fared for Argentina at Copa America?Lionel Messi endured an injury-plagued 2024 Copa America campaign with Argentina. The 37-year-old bagged a goal and an assist – both against Canada (in different games).

Messi came off injured – midway through the second half – of the final clash with Argentina. However, Lautaro Martinez scored an extra-time winner as La Albiceleste defended their title.

It also made Messi and Co. the first back-to-back Copa winners since Chile (2015-16) and the first team to win the competition a record 16 times. Messi, though, has been out injured since that final game, missing the last four games across competitions for the Herons.