Lionel Messi Unveiled by Inter Miami: Argentine Superstar Met by Thousands of Fans in USA

Lionel Messi Unveiled by Inter Miami: Argentine Superstar Met by Thousands of Fans in USA

Joel Reyes
updated at July 17, 2023 at 12:18 PM
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  • Inter Miami unveiled blockbuster signing, Lionel Messi to adoring fans
  • New Inter Miami player, Sergio Busquets also was in attendance for the event
  • The unveiling ceremony was delayed because of rain and lightning

Lionel Messi received a thunderous welcome at his new club, Inter Miami, in a rainy Florida on Sunday.

The Argentine superstar was greeted by deafening roars at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium as the Major League Soccer side officially unveiled him.

The unveiling was delayed for an hour as torrential rain and lightning hit the soccer star’s ceremony minutes before it was about to start.

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, David Beckham, MLS
Lionel Messi speaks during "The Unveil" introducing Lionel Messi hosted by Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on July 16, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Image: Megan Briggs
Source: Getty Images

That didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the fans, who turned up in their thousands to welcome the 'GOAT' to South Beach.

Messi sent the supporters into a frenzy when he arrived at the stadium with his wife and three sons, who were all dressed in Inter Miami colors, per Daily Mail.

Messi spoke of his delight in joining the MLS club, saying:

"Thank you very much, good night. First of all I want to thank all the people of Miami for this welcome, this affection. I am very happy to be here, to be with you. I want to thank Jose [Mas], David [Beckham] for the welcome. They are making everything easy for us, everything has been spectacular since we arrived."

He added that he wants to win and for the club to continue growing. He concluded his statement by saying that he has no doubt that they are going to have a good time.

Messi signs Inter Miami contract

The Major League Soccer club announced on Saturday that Messi had signed a contract with them until the 2025 season, per CNN.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, who led Argentina to a World Cup title in Qatar last year, issued a statement regarding his move to MLS, saying:

"I'm very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States."

The 36-year-old forward’s arrival in Miami from European club Paris Saint-Germain has already sparked greater interest in MLS across the United States.

It's also hoped that he can revive the fortunes of an Inter Miami team that is languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only five wins this season.

Busquets joins Messi in Miami

He will get some help from an old teammate in accomplishing that gargantuan task, as Inter Miami also signed midfielder Sergio Busquets, per MLS.

He was announced on Sunday as the latest summer addition for the Herons and is under contract until the 2025 MLS season as well.

The legendary defensive midfielder will occupy a Designated Player spot for Inter Miami.

Fans welcomed him as he made his way to the stadium for the unveiling with one of his children in his arms.

Fan trolls Messi

Sports Brief recently reported on a fan trolling Messi after Inter Miami's loss over the weekend.

The football icon's new team suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of St. Louis City.

They are in the midst of an 11-match winless streak.

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Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.
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