Lionel Messi, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, is set to begin his new journey with Inter Miami, where he will have his first practice session on Tuesday. The anticipation surrounding Messi’s arrival is undeniable, as fans flocked to the stadium to witness his unveiling.
With the steady growth and popularity of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, Messi’s move to the country holds great significance. Not to mention, the fact that the US is only two years away from hosting the World Cup adds to the excitement.
The club went all out for Messi’s arrival, organizing a grand ceremony called The Unveil or The PresentaSIon. The event was oversubscribed, with enthusiastic fans even managing to sneak in without tickets. However, the heavy rainfall caused some delays, reminding everyone that the idyllic, sun-kissed Florida portrayed on postcards is not the only reality in Messi’s new home.
On the pitch, Inter Miami, despite the addition of Messi, has struggled recently. In their previous match against St Louis City, they suffered a 3-0 defeat, extending their winless streak to 11 games. The team currently sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and has experienced 14 losses out of 22 matches in the 2023 league campaign.
Set-pieces proved to be a vulnerability for Inter Miami, with all three goals conceded against St Louis coming from headers off corners. To address this issue, the club also presented Sergio Busquets, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, to the fans. Busquets, a seasoned defensive midfielder, is expected to strengthen Miami’s backline and improve their defensive organization.
The arrival of Messi and Busquets has prompted Inter Miami to raise ticket prices and give Messi partial ownership in the club. MLS and its broadcast partners have even committed a portion of their television income to capitalize on Messi’s popularity and impact. This move positions Messi as the most significant brand ambassador for US football since David Beckham’s arrival in 2007.
During his unveiling, Messi expressed his surprise at how quickly he felt at home in his new environment. With familiar faces like Busquets and the possibility of Jordi Alba joining the team, Messi will have some reassuring companions. However, it should be noted that not all his teammates possess the same caliber as those he played with in Argentina’s victorious World Cup team.
Gerardo Martino, the head coach who has a history with Messi from their time at Barcelona and the Argentina national team, recognizes that there is work to be done. In light of the team’s recent struggles, he cautioned the fans to be patient despite Messi’s addition.
As Messi embarks on this new chapter in his illustrious career, the spotlight will be on him to provide the thrilling performances he is famous for. Inter Miami hopes his presence will inspire the team to turn their fortunes around and climb up the league standings.
While the expectations are sky-high, only time will tell if Messi’s move to the MLS will live up to the hype. Nevertheless, the excitement surrounding his arrival and the potential impact on US football cannot be ignored. With his unmatched talent, Inter Miami and the entire league have reason to be optimistic about the future.
