July 17, (THEWILL) – Lionel Messi, the celebrated Argentine footballer and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, has been formally introduced as a member of Inter Miami, during a spectacular event at the DRV PNK Stadium.
The inclement weather aside, around 20,000 devoted fans gathered in south Florida, with a temporary grandstand installed to accommodate the overwhelming demand by fans to witness the historic event live. The atmosphere was electrifying as Messi, hailed as “America’s number 10, the world’s best number 10,” graced the field. Notable sports figures, including Tom Brady and Stephen Curry, sent video messages to welcome Messi to the MLS side.
Addressing the fans in Spanish, Messi revealed his eagerness to train, compete, and help the club’s continued growth: “I have the same desire that I always had to compete, to want to win, to help the club continue to grow. I am very happy to have chosen to come to play in this city with my family, to choose this project, and I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy it a lot. We are going to have a good time and very good things are going to happen.”
Messi’s move to Inter Miami follows two challenging seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, where he amassed an impressive record of 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances across various competitions. Yet, Messi’s time in the French capital was regarded as a disappointment, as he fell short of securing the elusive UEFA Champions League title their fans desired. Following his suspension for an unsanctioned promotional trip to Saudi Arabia, rumours swirled about a potential move to the Saudi Pro League. However, Messi turned down an extremely lucrative offer from Al-Hilal and opted to join Inter Miami instead.
During the unveiling, an excited David Beckham, who is Inter Miami’s co-owner, said: “Leo, we are so proud that you have chosen our club for the next stage in your career.” Primary owner Jorge Mas hailed Messi as “the best player ever to don boots.”
He is anticipated to make his debut in an Inter Miami jersey against Mexican side Cruz Azul on July 21 in the Leagues Cup. The arrival of the legendary Argentine has sparked immense excitement among fans, as they eagerly await the impact he will make on the team’s performance and the overall growth of football in the United States.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
