Lionel Messi, one of football’s greatest players, was warmly welcomed by ecstatic fans at a glitzy unveiling ceremony for Inter Miami. Despite a rain delay caused by a thunderstorm, a sold-out crowd of around 20,000 eagerly awaited Messi’s arrival at the DRV PNK Stadium in Miami.
The ceremony started after a two-hour delay, with fans chanting Messi’s name as the lights dimmed on the venue. The club’s co-owner, David Beckham, expressed his pride at Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami, calling it a dream come true. Beckham, who himself made a high-profile move to MLS in 2007, welcomed Messi to the family amidst cheers from the crowd.
Jorge Mas, Miami’s majority owner, also addressed the crowd, hailing the occasion as a gift to the city. Tonight we are doing this in the rain. This is holy water! he exclaimed. Mas introduced Messi as Your new number 10, America’s number 10.
In his address, Messi expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support and love. He expressed his eagerness to start training and competing, highlighting his desire to win and help the club grow. Choosing to join Inter Miami alongside his family, Messi expressed his confidence in enjoying the journey and achieving great things with the team.
Inter Miami, currently the bottom club in Major League Soccer, confirmed Messi’s signing with a deal that will keep him with the club until 2025. The former Barcelona star decided to join Miami after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired last month.
Sergio Busquets, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, was also introduced to the crowd. The Major League Soccer commissioner, Don Garber, praised Mas for his relentless pursuit of Messi, referring to him as not only a generational player but also the greatest of all time.
While Messi’s press conference was postponed without explanation, he could potentially make his debut for the club on Friday against Mexican team Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup. However, with Inter Miami currently struggling in their winless streak, their new coach, Gerardo Martino, emphasized the need for patience in allowing Messi to get in optimum physical shape before playing.
The unveil ceremony saw Latin music stars Camilo and Ozuna entertain the partially filled DRV PNK Stadium. Inter Miami is planning to build their own purpose-built stadium, Freedom Park, in Miami, but it is not expected to open until 2025.
In conclusion, Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami has been met with immense excitement from fans and club owners alike. The Argentine superstar’s signing is seen as a game-changer for the club and for American football. As fans eagerly anticipate his debut, the expectations are high for Messi to continue his legacy and make a significant impact on the future of the sport in the United States.
