Not even the pouring rain may damage Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami welcome birthday celebration on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the place the brand new face of Major League Soccer (MLS) was once offered to a packed stadium of adoring enthusiasts.
Messi, seven months got rid of from main Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, was once introduced to enthusiasts throughout a glitzy match referred to as ‘The Unveil’ at Miami’s house stadium.
After being offered, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner walked against midfield alongside a spotlight-lined catwalk dressed in a T-shirt and denims and was once introduced together with his No. 10 blouse sooner than addressing the gang with a couple of temporary remarks in Spanish.
“I am very happy to have chosen to come to this city with my family, to have chosen this project and I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy it very much,” mentioned Messi.
“We are going to have a good time and great things are going to happen. Thank you very much, thank you all for this day.
“I will’t wait to start out coaching to compete. I believe the similar need I’ve at all times needed to compete, to in point of fact wish to win and to assist it (Miami) keep growing.”
After his remarks, a video compilation of well wishes was played on the stadium’s big screen and included messages from the likes of former NFL quarterback Tom Brady and NBA player Stephen Curry.
Messi, 36, was then joined on the field by his wife and three children where they posed for photos before more fireworks lit up the night sky.
The event was being held a day after Inter Miami announced that Messi signed a contract that will keep him with the club through 2025. Messi will be available to make his debut on Friday in a Leagues Cup fixture against Mexico’s Cruz Azul.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
Messi’s arrival is a huge boost for the profile of soccer in the United States, which will co-host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.
He joins a Miami side co-owned by another global soccer great in David Beckham.
“Like all of you, I will not wait to peer Leo take the sphere in our colors,” Beckham told the crowd moments before Messi was introduced.
“Ladies and gents, the following bankruptcy of our tale starts right here.”
Messi has his paintings lower out to make the following bankruptcy a a hit one.
Miami is winless in 11 MLS suits and sits lifeless ultimate within the Eastern Conference with 18 issues after 22 video games.
Messi’s subsequent vacation spot after leaving Paris St Germain have been the topic of a lot hypothesis.
A supply with regards to Messi had informed Reuters he had gained a proper be offering to enroll in Saudi Arabian membership Al-Hilal in a deal reportedly value round $400 million a 12 months.
PSG suspended him for creating a shuttle to Saudi Arabia and lacking a coaching consultation in consequence, and the seek advice from fueled hypothesis that he could be becoming a member of Cristiano Ronaldo within the barren region kingdom.
Portugal captain Ronaldo joined Al Nassr ultimate December on a profitable 2-1/2 12 months contract.
Messi had additionally been connected with a go back to Barcelona, the Spanish membership he helped declare 10 league titles, 4 Champions League crowns and 3 Club World Cups.
But in early June Messi introduced his determination to enroll in Inter Miami in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspaper even if a freelance had now not but been signed.