A sold-out crowd of about 20,000 waited by way of a delay attributable to torrential rain and heavy lightning to formally welcome Lionel Messi to Inter Miami on Sunday.
Accoding to worldwide media reviews, the ceremony, dubbed La PresentaSIon, at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, additionally marked Miami’s official signing of former FC Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets. The 35-year-old Spaniard landed a deal that runs by way of the 2025 season.
The occasion began about two hours later than initially scheduled with moist however delighted followers chanting Messi’s identify because the lights dimmed on the venue.
The membership’s co-owner David Beckham opened the ceremony, saying Messi’s arrival was a “dream come true”.
“Leo, we are so proud that you have chosen our club for the next stage in your career,” mentioned the previous Manchester United participant whose transfer to MLS’s Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 was the league’s earlier largest arrival.
“Welcome to our family Leo,” Beckham added in Spanish, to roars from the group.
Wishing our Co-Proprietor Jose Mas, a really Glad Birthday! ?? pic.twitter.com/wUmnOySF57
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 17, 2023
Upon being launched, Messi briefly addressed the group earlier than the staff performed a tribute video on the scoreboard display screen. The likes of Tom Brady, Stephen Curry, DJ Khaled, and Gloria and Emilio Estefan welcomed Messi to the USA.
“Thank you very much to all the people for supporting me and giving me this love,” Messi mentioned in Spanish. “I’m very blissful to be right here in Miami.
“I actually wish to begin coaching, to compete, I’ve the identical want that I at all times needed to compete, to wish to win, to assist the membership proceed to develop.
“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.”
Inter Miami confirmed on Saturday that the seven-times Ballon d’Or winner had signed a deal that might hold him with the membership till 2025.
As for Busquets, he was a member of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad in 2010 and earned 143 worldwide caps. He retired from worldwide play following the 2022 World Cup.
His contract with Barcelona was not renewed this season, which opened up a possibility to hitch Messi with the Herons.
