Global superstar Lionel Messi has finally been unveiled as an Inter Miami player, appearing in front of a sold-out crowd at the DRV PNK Stadium, and gave a short message to his supporters.
The 36-year-old left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season before choosing Miami as his next destination, ending his European adventure which saw him become arguably the greatest player in the history of soccer.
He arrives as the biggest name in Inter Miami and MLS history, and fans of Miami will be delighted at his acquisition.
However, there is plenty of work to be done, with Miami currently bottom of the table in what has been a miserable MLS campaign, but Messi has expressed his excitement at getting involved to improve their fortunes.
“I really want to start training, to compete. I have the same desire that I always had to compete, to want to win, to help the club continue to grow,” he stated in Spanish at his unveiling.
“I am very happy to have chosen to come to play in this city with my family, to choose this project and I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy it a lot.
“We are going to have a good time and very good things are going to happen.”
When will Messi make his Inter Miami debut?
Saturday 22nd July is when we will finally see Messi enter the pitch as an Inter Miami player, in the Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul.
The Argentinian will train with his teammates this week ahead of the clash, and it is currently unclear whether Gerardo Martino will include him in the starting lineup.
His first MLS game will not be until 21st August, in a home clash against Charlotte, where he will begin his challenge to lift Miami off the bottom of the table.