Lionel Messi was officially introduced as a member of Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami on Sunday night, following a World Cup victory and a season with Paris Saint-Germain in France.
The franchise led by David Beckham presented Messi with a pink number 10 shirt at the Fort Lauderdale stadium. It seemed the Argentine soccer superstar survived the torrential rain well enough to address the crowd and cheer them on.
«I am sure that we are going to have many wonderful experiences,» Messi said.
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Lionel Messi waves after the celebration introducing him to Inter Miami fans, Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
“I am very excited to be here in Miami, to be with you. I want to thank all of you, on behalf of my family, for the kindness you have shown me,” he added.
Beckham praised the fans for braving the bad weather and staying for the opening. Majority owner Jorge Mas also addressed the crowd.
«When David and I met and dreamed about what Inter Miami stands for, it started with the freedom to dream,» Mas said. «And we dream of not only bringing elite players and the best players, but also the best player to ever put on his boots, and his name is Lionel Andrés Messi.»
Messi joins a club in last place in the Eastern Conference with 22 appearances. The team has only 18 points on the season and is 22 points out of last place in the playoffs, behind DC United.
Former United star Wayne Rooney has warned Messi about the expectations of joining MLS. The great British footballer said that Messi will not have it easy here, as he learned from his own experience.
Lionel Messi greets fans at DRV PNK Stadium, Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
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«It won’t be easy for him here,» Rooney told the Times of London. «It sounds crazy, but the players who come find it a tough league. The travel, the different conditions in different cities, and there’s a lot of energy and intensity on the pitch.»
For now, it’s a party in South Florida.
«Here we are today with a player who I believe, without a doubt, is not only a generational player but, in my opinion, the greatest of all time,» MLS commissioner Dan Garber said. «He went through a process throughout his decision-making period over the last few months, if not the last year, to determine where he was going to play. Many of you have heard us say that we want MLS to be a league of choice». , a league chosen by players, fans, partners and ultimately investors.
«And when you have the greatest player of all time making Major League Soccer his league of choice, I think it’s a true testament to where MLS is and where it’s headed in the years to come.»
Lionel Messi with owners, from left, Jorge Mas, José Mas and David Beckham after being introduced at DRV PNK Stadium, Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
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Messi will be with Inter Miami until the 2025 season. He will make his debut on Friday in a League Cup match against Cruz Azul.
Associated Press contributed to this report.