Argentinian football superstar Lionel Messi has expressed his excitement about joining Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) during a glitzy unveiling event held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event, called ‘The Unveil’, took place at Miami’s home stadium and was attended by a packed stadium of adoring fans.
Messi, who recently led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, walked along a spotlight-lined catwalk wearing a T-shirt and jeans before being presented with his No. 10 shirt. He addressed the crowd in Spanish and expressed his happiness at choosing to come to Miami with his family and be a part of this exciting project. He expressed confidence in the team’s potential and promised that great things will happen.
During the event, a video compilation of well wishes from notable sports figures such as former NFL quarterback Tom Brady and NBA player Stephen Curry was played on the stadium’s big screen. Afterward, Messi was joined on the field by his wife and three children for a photo opportunity, followed by a dazzling fireworks display.
The unveiling event comes a day after Inter Miami officially announced that Messi has signed a contract that will keep him with the club until 2025. The arrival of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is a significant boost to soccer in the United States, especially as the country is set to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
Inter Miami is co-owned by another soccer legend, David Beckham, who expressed his excitement about seeing Messi take the field in their colors. He described Messi’s arrival as the beginning of the next chapter in the club’s story.
While Messi’s presence brings immense talent and star power to the team, he faces the challenge of turning around Inter Miami’s current performance. The team sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 18 points after 22 games and is winless in the last 11 MLS matches.
Prior to joining Inter Miami, Messi’s next destination had been a subject of speculation. He received a formal offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, reportedly worth around $400 million a year. Furthermore, there were rumors linking him with a return to Barcelona, where he had achieved tremendous success.
However, in early June, Messi announced his decision to join Inter Miami in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspapers, even before signing the contract. This move came despite his suspension from Paris St Germain for making a trip to Saudi Arabia and missing a training session, leading to speculation about a potential move to the Arabian Peninsula.
Messi’s first opportunity to make his debut for Inter Miami will come on Friday in a Leagues Cup fixture against Mexico’s Cruz Azul. Fans and soccer enthusiasts eagerly await his performance to see how he can contribute to the team’s success.
Overall, Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami has generated immense excitement, not only among the team’s fans but also within the broader soccer community in the United States. The presence of such a high-profile player will undoubtedly raise the profile of the sport, as the country prepares to host the World Cup in 2026.
