Korenica hopes to share the pitch with Lionel Messi: It’s a dream

Meriton Korenica grew up watching his favorite, Lionel Messi, on television. But soon, he could face the Inter Miami star on the pitch.

Korenica could soon join the American team DC United.

His Romanian club, CFR Cluj, is in talks with the club that competes in the United States’ MLS.

Korenica told KOHA on Thursday that his dream would come true if one day he shared the pitch with the Argentine football star.

Twenty-nine-year-old Korenica hopes an agreement will be reached between the clubs. He says it would be a major step in his career.

“The teams are in talks, and I don’t know until they reach an agreement. If the transfer goes through, it would be a very important step for me, but we are waiting, since the teams are in talks,” Korenica told KOHA on Thursday.

He hopes the talks will be finalized and his dream of playing against Messi will come true.

“I would be happy to have a great player like Messi as an opponent. I grew up with Messi and Ronaldo. If I get the chance to face one of them, my dream would come true,” Korenica said.

The Romanian media outlet has reported that the American club will pay 4 million dollars for Korenica.

“Negotiations between CFR Cluj and DC United are at an extremely advanced stage, and the MLS team is ready to pay the Romanian club 4 million dollars. Cluj will also retain 25% of the Kosovo midfielder’s rights,” writes “Fanatik”. “DC United coach Rene Weiler likes the Cluj midfielder and is pushing ahead with his transfer, which could happen in the coming days. If the deal is reached, Meriton Korenica will earn an annual salary of 800 thousand dollars.”

He is pleased with his development as a footballer at Cluj.

The winger joined the Romanian team in 2024. He transferred to Cluj from Turkish club Manisaspor.

“From the first day, I settled in very well at Cluj. Everything has gone very well, both as a team and individually. I have helped the team with goals and assists, and that is the most important thing for me. So far, everything has gone very well,” Korenica emphasized.

This season, the former Ballkani player has scored six goals and provided seven assists in 29 matches.

In total, he has scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists in 79 matches for Cluj.

“I am grateful to the Cluj team, because it has always believed in me and stood by me even when I was in a very difficult situation with my family. I turned it into strength and continued working in the best way possible, helping the team,” he says.

Cluj owner Nelutu Varga has also spoken about the Kosovo player’s transfer to DC United. He said Korenica’s move to DC United is a matter of days. 

“There is a good chance Korenica will transfer to DC United. It’s a matter of days,” Varga told Fanatik.

Korenica has played six matches for Kosovo. He was not called up for the last two matches. But he says he is always ready for Kosovo.