Argentine football star Lionel Messi has officially joined American professional club Inter Miami, signing a two-year deal that will keep him with the club until 2025.
The 36-year-old striker is set to make his debut for Inter Miami this Friday in a match against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
In a statement, Messi expressed his excitement about this new chapter in his career, saying, “I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States.”
His arrival in Miami has already generated significant buzz and is expected to boost interest in the game and Major League Soccer (MLS) across the country.Inter Miami, currently at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference with a record of 5-13-3, hopes that Messi’s presence will turn their fortunes around.
The club will officially unveil Messi in a grand ceremony on Sunday ahead of Friday’s match.The signing of Messi represents a major milestone for the North American league, comparable to the impact of English star David Beckham joining the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.
Beckham, now a co-owner of Inter Miami, expressed his delight at Messi’s arrival, stating, “Today that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club.”
The anticipation is high as fans eagerly await Messi’s debut and the next phase of Inter Miami’s journey with their star acquisition.
