Argentine football star Lionel Messi has signed with Inter Miami until 2025, the American club announced on Saturday July 15, and should be officially presented by his new club on Sunday and then make his debut in the North American league on July 21. American.
Besides the World Cup won with Argentina last year, the 36-year-old striker has also been named Ballon d’Or seven times. “I am very happy to begin this new stage of my career with Inter Miami and in the United States”he said on Saturday, quoted in a press release.
“It’s a fantastic chance and together we will continue this wonderful project. Our aim is to work together to achieve the objectives set and I am very much looking forward to contributing to this at my new club.”added the world champion, crowned last winter.
“I can’t wait to see Leo [Messi] enter the field »
Inter Miami is currently last in the East Division of Major League Soccer (MLS), the North American championship, and is due to face Mexican club Cruz Azul at home on Friday in the Leagues Cup, which brings together American clubs. and Mexicans. The arrival of Messi, who stood out in Barcelona between 2004 and 2021, is the most important event for Major League Soccer since that of English player David Beckham, who became one of the owners of Inter Miami, at the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.
Beckham had made Inter Miami’s debut in MLS in 2020 after a long search for a stadium for this new team. “Ten years ago, when I set out to establish a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamed of bringing the greatest players in the world to this extraordinary city, players who shared the same ambition as the mine when I joined LA Galaxy to contribute to the development of football in the United States and build a legacy for the next generation of this game that we love so much”underlined for his part David Beckham.
“Today, that dream has come true. Couldn’t be more proud to see a player of Leo’s caliber [Messi] join our club and I am also delighted to welcome a good friend and his family to the Inter Miami community. The next phase of our adventure begins and I can’t wait to see Leo [Messi] enter the field »he added.
Imminent arrival of Spaniard Sergio Busquets
The club’s coach, Gerardo “Auntie” Martino has already managed Messi twice: in Barcelona during the 2013-14 season, with the Spanish Super Cup at stake, and from 2014 to 2016 in the Argentinian national team. Messi, considered the greatest current player, also won the Copa America in 2021 and holds the record of 103 goals scored in 175 appearances for the Argentinian national team.
“We are beyond thrilled that the greatest player in the world has chosen Inter Miami and the Major League Soccer championship”underlined the person in charge of this championship, Don Garber. “His decision speaks to the rise and energy of our championship and our sport in North America. We have no doubt that Lionel Messi is going to show the world that MLS can accommodate the best players.”.
The Argentinian will make his first public appearance with Inter Miami on Sunday in a colorful ceremony that could bring together 18,000 people. He will then hold a press conference on Monday and take part in his first practice on Tuesday. “We promised to build an ambitious club that will attract the best players in the world”said the club’s executive director, Jorge Mas.
Messi is set to be joined in Miami by another world-class player, Spaniard Sergio Busquets, with ambitions to lift the club from the bottom of the table. “Leo” has also won the Champions League four times, an Olympic gold medal and multiple Spanish league titles. He had joined Paris-Saint-Germain for the past two seasons but, if he has just won the French championship, he has not managed to hang a new Champions League on his record with the French club.