Inter Miami have finally announced the signing of Lionel Messi to confirm Major League Soccer’s worst kept secret.
Messi, who is considered one of the greatest players of all time, has signed a contract with the club until the 2025 MLS season after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
His arrival represents a major coup for David Beckham’s Miami and MLS, with Messi’s arrival expected to take the sport to a new level in the United States.
The 36-year-old, world champion with Argentina, announced his move to MLS last month but on Saturday fans finally saw pictures of him in the Inter Miami jersey.
The club released a 40-second video to finally announce the superstar’s move, with the caption: “Yes folks.”
Inter Miami have finally announced the arrival of Lionel Messi to confirm the MLS’s worst-kept secret
Messi has signed a deal with the club until the 2025 MLS season following PSG’s departure
The club released a 40-second video of the superstar’s move with the caption: “Yes guys.”
The arrival of 36-year-old Messi represents a major coup for David Beckham’s Inter Miami and MLS
He turned down a more lucrative offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal while a return to youth club Barcelona proved financially impossible.
Messi, who joins the club as a designated player, said: “I’m really excited to start this next step in my career at Inter Miami and in the United States.”
“This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project.” to help.”
Messi, who won four Champions League titles with Barca and scored 672 goals in 778 games for the club, is said to have been handed a $60m-a-year deal from Inter Miami, which includes new deals with adidas and Apple.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will rake in cash from adidas jersey sales and Apple MLS subscriptions, while the deal reportedly includes one as well Option that could result in him becoming a part owner of the club.
“It is my honor to welcome Leo Messi and his family to their new home,” said Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas.
“In 2018 we promised to build an ambitious club that would attract the best players in the world.”
“A club that would change the global view of football in the United States and ensure that wherever football is being talked about, your Inter Miami is part of the conversation.” A heartfelt thank you to our fans who never stopped listening believe. Together we will continue to turn dreams into reality.”
The 36-year-old, considered one of the greatest of all time, led Argentina to the World Cup title
Co-owner David Beckham added on Saturday: “As I began my journey of building a new team in Miami ten years ago, I said my dream was to bring the best players in the world to this amazing city.”
“Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the United States and build a legacy for the next generation in the sport we love so much.”
“Today this dream has come true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club, but I’m also excited to welcome a good friend, a great person and his wonderful family to our Inter Miami community.
“This is where the next phase of our adventure begins and I can’t wait to see Leo on the pitch.”
Messi will work under Gerardo “Tata” Martino in Miami, having previously played under the veteran coach for Barca and Argentina national team.
Former team-mate Sergio Busquets has already followed Messi to Miami, both are expected to be unveiled on Sunday, while Jordi Alba is also reportedly close to joining the MLS team.
Messi is expected to make his debut on July 21 when Inter Miami take on Mexican club Cruz Azul.
The fans hope that Messi and Busquets can then help change the fortunes of the team in Major League Soccer.
Miami currently sits bottom in the Eastern Conference with just 18 points from 21 games.
That record puts them 11 points adrift of the last playoff spot, with Messi available for the final 12 games of the regular season.
Victoria Beckham shared clips of David painting a mural ahead of Lionel Messi’s arrival in Miami
The windows of the adidas flagship store in New York are covered in replicas of Messi
A sign reads ‘Bienvenido A Miami’ above a photo of Messi and Inter Miami merchandise
Miami twice lost a lead against Wayne Rooney’s side DC United in their last MLS game on Saturday night, extending their winning streak to ten games.
Nigel Robertha’s 77th-minute goal prevented Miami from earning a crucial win. Since the announcement of Martino’s signing, Inter have now drawn three times in a row.
In New York, 1,300 miles from Messi’s new home in Florida, the adidas flagship store’s windows were filled with replicas of the biggest MLS star before the move was made official.
In images from , the sportswear giant’s Broadway venue is covered with images of Messi wearing his new Inter Miami shirt before he’s even put it on himself.
Beckham was recently filmed standing on a crane and painting a huge mural of Messi on the side of a building in Miami.
Messi has been enjoying a vacation before arriving in Miami, relaxing in the Caribbean with his wife Antonela before starting his new life in MLS.
There was some evidence that the 36-year-old could, or even should, receive special treatment from officers.
Messi pictured enjoying the final days of his vacation before life at Inter Miami took off
Messi and his wife Antonela (right) shared pictures during their Caribbean vacation
An MLS coach told The Athletic that the Argentine ‘should get the treatment from (Michael) Jordan.’ (He) should get every single call.’
But any “Jordan treatment” could result in MLS teams implementing their own version of the “Jordan Rules,” which the Detroit Pistons used to conclude in the late 1980s and early 1990s that the best way to run Jordan to defend consists of injuring him and eliminating the game.
Meanwhile, Robert Sibiga, the 2021 MLS Referee of the Year, said: “It’s not the level of David Beckham or Zlatan (Ibrahimovic). ‘It’s a different level.’
He added: “The last thing you want to be is to be seen screwing up the game or allowing players who have much less talent and experience to do something to a player like Lionel Messi.”