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FootballLionel Messi Receives Surprise Kiss from Devoted Fan in Miami
- Lionel Messi was mobbed by fans after visiting a restaurant in Miami
- The Argentine attended Inter Miami CF training and met with his future teammates
- He is set to be presented as an Inter Miami player on Sunday
Football fans gave Lionel Messi a warm welcome to Major League Soccer as he left a restaurant in Florida City.
The World Cup winner arrived in Miami on Tuesday, flying in on a private jet with his family.
Reports suggest that the Argentine phenom had visited the team's training facility early on Wednesday.
According to ESPN, Messi will have been hoping for a relaxing time when he touched down in the US with family but that's not quite what he got as fans got wind of where he was having dinner.
Footage has been posted of Messi leaving a restaurant at night and being bombarded by supporters outside.
The 36-year-old had to be escorted through the lively crowd and it looked like a real challenge to get him through.
Inter Miami to unveil Messi
Meanwhile, Messi will take part in a glitzy presentation at the club's stadium on Sunday which has been branded "The Unveil" with the club promising musical entertainment for the expected 18, 000 capacity crowd.
The event will be broadcast on Apple TV and parts of it are sure to be syndicated to other television networks.
Then the following day, Inter Miami have announced a "major press conference" with Messi expected to attend along with the club's owners, probably including co-owner David Beckham.
Veteran referee for Messi’s debut
Messi’s transfer was announced more than a month ago but he is yet to join up with his new teammates. An official date for his debut has not been confirmed, but he could play in the Leagues Cup game against Cruz Azul on July 21.
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FootballHe will then make his MLS debut the following month, once the league resumes.
With this major moment in mind, referee, Robert Sibiga, wants to see the very best of the American league's referees in charge of any and all games involving Messi.
"PRO will have to be very particular about who they’re going to bring," Sibiga said, as quoted by Diario AS. "It has to be veterans. It has to be experienced referees. If we don’t, then we’re going to miss the mark and we’re going to do a disservice to the game."
Beckham paints Messi mural
Sports Brief also reported on Inter Miami co-owner, Beckham helping with a Messi mural in the city as excitement builds over the Argentine's debut in MLS.
The league is preparing for the arrival of its biggest-ever signing, with the veteran expected to sign up on a free transfer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.