Miami Heat Star Jimmy Butler Plans to Link Up With Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi

• Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has reacted to the news that Lionel Messi will be playing in South Beach
• The veteran ended months of speculation by announcing he will sign with Inter Miami earlier this week
• Butler and the Heat are in the middle of the 2023 NBA Finals and are down versus the Denver Nuggets

Miami Heat star, Jimmy Butler is excited about Lionel Messi's high-profile move to MLS side, Inter Miami, amid the 2023 NBA Finals.

Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in December 2022, announced on June 7 that he intended to join Inter Miami once his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of this month.

The news of Messi's move to Miami broke the internet, and several NBA stars welcomed arguably the best sportsman of all time to America.

The 35-year-old had an attractive offer from Saudi Arabian side, Al-Hilal, while a return to Barcelona became difficult because of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

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Messi's move raises the profile of the MLS, and it is interesting to see what impact he will bring in his first venture outside of Europe, per the BBC.

Butler welcomes Messi to Miami

Despite the Heat losing Game 3 of the Finals 109-94, Butler had something to smile about.

He was excited that Messi is coming to South Beach.

“A lot of good. Obviously, he is one of the greatest players to play that beautiful game. I’m so excited for the city of Miami, to be able to have a player of that caliber here... Now that he is here, I think all the football/soccer fans from all over the world are going to come here and get an opportunity to watch him compete. I’m glad he is here,” Butler said, via the Athletic.

Butler is a friend of Messi's former teammate, Neymar Junior. He has a close friendship with Juventus star, Paul Pogba.

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Messi was expected to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in Saudi Arabia, but the deal fell off.

The former Barcelona star won Ligue 1 in both his seasons at PSG but fell short in the Champions League. He netted 32 goals in 75 games for the club, including 16 goals and 16 assists this season in the French league.

NBA stars welcome Messi

Sports Brief earlier reported on NBA stars welcoming Messi, who is moving out of Europe for the first time in his football career.

Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant seemed competitive as he is a minority owner at Philadelphia Union, who Inter Miami play this month.

Milwaukee Bucks forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young also welcomed the FIFA World Cup winner.