Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated move to Major League Soccer
has finally come to fruition as he has
finalized his deal with Inter Miami.
After years of planning and pursuit, the global icon has chosen to join the
team.
The official announcement of Messi’s contract came on Saturday,
just over five weeks after he declared his intention to join Inter Miami. The
team plans to introduce him to the fans on Sunday night at their stadium in
Fort Lauderdale. The first home match of the Messi era could take place as
early as the following Friday in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul.
A formal news conference is scheduled for Monday, and Messi’s
first training session with his new club is expected on Tuesday. Inter Miami
had previously revealed that Messi’s contract would span 2 and a half seasons
and pay him between $50 million and $60 million annually, making the total
contract value between $125 million and $150 million in cash alone.
“BIENVENIDO 10,” the team enthusiastically posted
on Twitter, welcoming Messi to the club.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber expressed his delight at Messi’s
decision, stating that it is a testament to the league’s momentum and energy.
He believes Messi will demonstrate that MLS can be a preferred destination for
the best players in the game.
The union between Messi and Inter Miami is somewhat
unconventional. As the biggest star in soccer, Messi is joining a team that
currently sits in last place in the MLS’s Eastern Conference standings. Inter
Miami is a relatively new club, in its fourth season, and plays in a temporary
home that currently seats around 22,000 people, with plans for additional
seating.
Nevertheless, these factors do not diminish the fact that
soccer royalty now plays for Inter Miami.
Messi arrived in South Florida on Tuesday after a vacation
and began the process of undergoing physicals and completing paperwork on
Wednesday. The deal was then finalized on Saturday afternoon. The seven-time
Ballon d’Or winner, awarded to the world’s best player, made the move to Miami
after spending two years with Paris Saint-Germain.
Expressing his excitement, Messi stated, “I’m very
excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United
States. This is a fantastic opportunity, and together we will continue to build
this beautiful project. 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.”
It had been widely known that Messi would be leaving PSG, but
the mystery remained regarding his next destination. Speculations arose about
potential moves to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia or a return to Barcelona, where he
had spent most of his career. Ultimately, Miami emerged as the winner. Co-owner
David Beckham had publicly floated the idea back in 2021, and now it has become
a reality.
“After winning the World Cup and not being able to
return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the United States to experience
football in a different way,” Messi explained when he announced his
decision in June.
Having led Argentina to the World Cup title in December,
Messi boasts an impressive career with over 800 goals for club and country. He
is considered one of the greatest scorers in the history of the sport. With
four Champions League titles and 129 goals in the competition, he is second
only to Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has also won numerous domestic titles,
including ten La Liga titles and two Ligue 1 championships. Additionally, he
has clinched seven Copa del Rey titles, three Club World Cups, a Copa América,
and an Olympic gold medal for Argentina.
Reflecting on the fulfillment of his dreams, Beckham stated,
“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. Today that dream came true.”
Despite having an away match in St. Louis on the day of the
announcement, a couple hundred fans gathered at the team’s facility in hopes of
catching a glimpse of Messi. They were undeterred even by a late-morning
thunderstorm. Many donned Messi jerseys, representing both Argentina and Inter
Miami. Some waved flags, while one fan held a sign with the words
“Messi” and “GOAT” in clear view.
This warm reception is just the beginning of the welcome
party.
Earlier in the week, Messi was spotted at a Publix
supermarket near Fort Lauderdale, which happens to be an Inter Miami sponsor.
He was accompanied by his family, and their shopping cart contained popular
cereal brands like Froot Loops, Cap’n Crunch, and Lucky Charms. The scene went
viral, adding a lighthearted touch to the news.
Now, the focus shifts to the soccer field. Inter Miami has planned
a grand introduction for Messi on Sunday night, calling it “The
Unveil.” Rumors circulate that Shakira will be in attendance, and tickets
for the event sold out long ago, given the anticipation surrounding Messi’s
arrival.
Expectations for the franchise are now sky-high. Inter Miami
has yet to contend for a title, but with Messi’s arrival, everything could
change rapidly for a team that has only won 34% of its matches in MLS play.
Inter Miami’s sporting director, Chris Henderson, expressed
his enthusiasm, stating, “Lionel Messi is an incomparable talent. What he
brings on and off the field will elevate everyone around him, and we’re excited
to have him at Inter Miami.”
