Lionel Messi is yet to appear for new club Inter Miami, but fans can expect the Argentine superstar to make his highly anticipated debut later this month.
The 36-year-old agreed to join the MLS club following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, and with Miami rooted to the bottom of the table, he faces a challenge to help spark a recovery in form.
He will be reunited with former Barcelona coach Tata Martino, as well as former teammate Sergio Busquets, and could even be joined by ex-Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.
It is expected that the attacker could make his Inter Miami debut on July 21st, in the Leagues Cup against Cruz Azul, whilst his MLS debut may have to wait until August 20th, as Miami take on Charlotte, as per a report from MARCA.
Lionel Messi has to hit the ground running on Inter Miami debut
The World Cup winner has gotten his wish by moving to Miami, a city which he frequented during his holidays over the years, but this will be no vacation.
Miami have struggled all season, with just five wins from 19 league games, and incoming manager Martino has a huge job on his hands if Miami are to stand any remote chance of making the playoffs this season.
Although they have performed poorly, Miami are 10 points behind DC United in ninth, a position which allows qualification to the wild-card round for the playoffs.
If Messi can have an instant impact, and lift everyone at the club, then Miami stand an outside chance of climbing up the table enough to give them a chance of reaching the playoffs.
The side have scored just 18 goals in 19 games, and Messi will need to take both scoring and creativity into his own hands to give them any chance of success.