Inter Miami dropped a bombshell on Saturday, disclosing that Lionel Messi, the Argentine football star, will remain with the team until 2025 as they finalise their contract.
In an eagerly anticipated ceremony scheduled for Sunday, the 36-year-old striker, who played a pivotal role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar last year, will be officially unveiled by the team. Fans can look forward to seeing him in action for Inter Miami as soon as Friday.
‘I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,’ Messtransferredred from Paris Saint-Germain, stated in a statement.
The much-anticipated arrival of the seven-time Ballon d’Or champion in Miami has already sent shockwaves through the soccer community, poised to generate heightened fascination and widespread popularity for the game and MLS across the United States.
Expectations are high that he will serve as a catalyst for a Miami team desperately seeking a revival, currently positioned at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference with a record of 5-13, including three drawn matches.
‘This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project,’ Messi stated. ‘The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.’
Messi is set to make his debut on Friday, as Inter Miami hosts Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, a revitalized competition showcasing teams from MLS and the Mexican league.
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Messi’s arrival is a game-changer for the North American league, surpassing the impact made by English superstar David Beckham, now a co-owner of Inter Miami, when he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.
After years of dedicated efforts to secure a stadium site, Beckham achieved his goal by establishing the MLS Miami squad in 2020.
‘Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city, players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much,’ Beckham noted in a statement.
‘Today that dream came true.’
‘I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community.’
‘The next phase of our adventure starts here and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the pitch.’
Messi’s captaincy played a crucial role in Argentina’s success at the 2021 Copa America and the Qatar World Cup, where he led the team to triumph.
His impressive tally of 103 goals in 175 appearances showcases his exceptional goal-scoring prowess for the Albiceleste.
‘We’re overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami and Major League Soccer,’ MLS commissioner Don Garber said.
‘His decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our league and our sport in North America. We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a league of choice for the best players in the game.’
Messi is gearing up for an opulent arrival ceremony on Sunday at ‘The Unveil,’ where about 18,000 spectators are expected to witness his first public appearance with his new club.
Subsequently, he will address the media in his maiden news conference with Inter on Monday and commence training with the club on Tuesday.