Lionel Messi Expresses Delight With Inter Miami Move: “I’m Very Excited”

• Lionel Messi is excited to start a new phase of his career with MLS side Inter Miami
• The 36-year-old was present at Juan Roman Riquelme's farewell match in Rosario
• Messi will join Inter Miami after spending two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain

Lionel Messi has revealed he is excited to start a new phase of his career after ending his stint in Europe to move to the MLS with Inter Miami.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was present in his home country to honour Argentine legend, Juan Roman Riquelme, who had his farewell game as Argentina XI took on Boca Juniors XI.

Messi, who spoke to the crowd that had turned out in their numbers to witness the memorial game, revealed what the new phase of his career away from Europe means to him, AS Soccer reports.

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“It is a very nice feeling to have been able to be at [Riquelme’s] testimonial, with all that he means for football in Argentina, what he means to Boca, to be once again in La Bombonera. Now there will be a few days of vacation and then I will start in my new city, my new club - I am very excited.”

Messi scored a hat-trick in the 4-2 victory for the Argentina XI and in the second half, he said goodbye to Riquelme with a warm embrace.

Riquelme thanks Messi for appearance

Meanwhile, Riquelme has thanked Messi for playing in his farewell game after the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner turned up in Rosario for the ex-Villareal superstar, Sportskeeda reports.

The World Cup winner, who played with the retiree on Argentina's national team for a time, has stated he is a huge fan and considers the former Barcelona midfielder one of his role models.

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Riquelme took a minute to thank Messi for accepting the invitation for the exhibition and apologised to his family as they would 'have to wait a few more days before starting their vacation'.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Messi scoring on his 36th birthday, as the World Cup-winning player featured in a game for his former boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys.

The game honoured his teammate, Maxi Rodriguez, who retired from international action. Before the match, the crowd at the Rosario Stadium welcomed Messi home.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner did not disappoint by taking a stunning free kick to open the scoring, with the local crowd even singing 'happy birthday' for him.