Lionel Messi Dominates Headlines as He Officially Joins Inter Miami in MLS

Lionel Messi has completed his agreement to join Major League Soccer, and after extensive preparation and efforts, Inter Miami has successfully acquired a worldwide symbol.

Messi's agreement was formally confirmed on Saturday, just over five weeks after he announced his move to Inter Miami. The team plans to present him on Sunday evening at their Fort Lauderdale stadium, with the possibility of his first home game during the Messi era taking place as soon as Friday in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul.

A press conference has been planned for Monday, and Messi is anticipated to have his initial training session with his new team on Tuesday. The club had already declared that Messi's contract will last for 2 and a half seasons and he will receive an annual salary ranging from $50 million to $60 million. Therefore, the overall worth of the contract in terms of cash alone is estimated to be between $125 million and $150 million.

The team wrote a message on Twitter on Saturday, saying "Welcome 10."

Welcome, Messi, indeed.

"We are extremely happy that the best player in the world decided to join Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer, and his choice reflects the growing excitement and enthusiasm for our league and the sport in North America," stated Don Garber, Commissioner of MLS. "We are confident that Lionel will demonstrate to the world that MLS can be the preferred league for top players in the sport."

In several ways, this marriage is quite unusual. Messi, who is still considered one of the biggest celebrities in soccer, is joining a team that currently holds the last position in the MLS Eastern Conference. This club is relatively new, having only completed four seasons, and currently plays their matches in a temporary stadium that can accommodate approximately 22,000 spectators, with plans to add more seats in a hurry.

It is of no importance. A prestigious soccer player is now part of Inter Miami.

After taking a vacation, Messi arrived in South Florida on Tuesday. The following day, he began the necessary procedures of undergoing physical exams and completing paperwork. Finally, on Saturday afternoon, the deal was officially concluded. Messi, who has won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award seven times, which is given to the best player in the world each year, is now moving to Miami after spending two years with Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi expressed his enthusiasm for embarking on the next phase of his professional journey with Inter Miami in the United States. He referred to this opportunity as fantastic and emphasized the collaboration to further develop the project. He also mentioned working together to accomplish their shared objectives, expressing eagerness to contribute in his new home.

Messi's departure from PSG was a well-known fact, but the uncertainty surrounding his future destination intrigued many. Speculation arose suggesting he might join Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, an option inspired by his long-standing rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, who also made a move to a club backed by the country's sovereign wealth fund. Additionally, the possibility of him returning to Barcelona, a revered team where he had dedicated the majority of his career, was also considered.

Ultimately, Miami emerged victorious. What initially started as an idea suggested by co-owner David Beckham in 2021, a remarkable two years before the team even contemplated the logistics, has now transformed into a tangible and actual occurrence.

Messi announced in June that after winning the World Cup and being unable to go back to Barcelona, he decided to join the league in the United States to experience a different style of football.

Last December, he guided Argentina to winning the World Cup. Messi has an impressive record of over 800 career goals for both his club and national team, establishing himself as one of the most exceptional scorers in the history of the sport. In the World Cup final against France last year, he managed to score two goals, resulting in a 3-3 draw, but Argentina emerged victorious by winning 4-2 in the penalty shootout.

He has won the Champions League four times and has scored 129 goals in the top club competition, only second to Ronaldo's 140 goals. Messi has achieved 10 La Liga titles and two Ligue 1 championships, along with seven Copa del Reys and three Club World Cups. Additionally, he has also won a Copa América and an Olympic gold medal for Argentina.

Beckham expressed his desire to assemble a top-notch team in Miami a decade ago. He envisioned attracting the most exceptional players from around the world to this incredible city. He wanted to find teammates who shared his enthusiasm for promoting football in the USA and leaving a lasting impact for future generations in this beloved sport.