Inter Miami CF has finally unveiled two former Barcelona superstars Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets to a sold-out crowd at DRV PNK Stadium after a month of anxious anticipation.
Expressing his joy on his unveiling, Messi said “I am very happy to have chosen to come to this city with my family, to have chosen this project, and I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy it very much”.
“We are going to have a good time, and great things are going to happen. Thank you very much, thank you all for this day. I can’t wait to start training to compete. I feel the same desire I’ve always had to compete, to really want to win and to help it [Miami] continue to grow.”
Lionel Messi
The Argentina soccer star had inked a multiyear contract with the club weeks ago, becoming the highest-profile signing to hit MLS since David Beckham joined LA Galaxy in 2007.
Beckham was the first star to join MLS in the prime of his career after spending most of it playing top-tier soccer in Europe. Now a co-owner of Inter Miami, Beckham addressed the gravity of this moment, which was a decade in the making.
“Ten years ago, I started my journey to build a new MLS team. I said then, I dreamt of bringing the best players in the world to South Florida and to the great city to Miami. Players who shared our ambition to grow soccer in this country… We are so happy that you are all here to celebrate this incredible moment.
“So please forgive me for feeling a little bit emotional tonight. It truly is a dream come true to welcome Lionel Messi to Inter Miami … Bienvenido a La Familia.”
Beckham
A two-hour weather delay stalled the event, with heavy rain pelting the stadium grounds and lightning illuminating the sky.
Sergio Busquets Also Introduced
But no one was going to miss this. And the fans were treated to a double feature, as Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets also was introduced as an Inter Miami player after signing his deal to join the club following Messi’s deal.
Beckham was thrilled to bring the midfielder to South Florida. “One of the most complete midfield players of his generation,” he said of Busquets. “I am so proud for Sergio and his family to represent our club and our colors and reunite his partnership with Leo Messi.”
As the ceremony progresses, “Messi! Messi!” chants rang throughout the stadium, loudly which summarized the moment. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas also took turn to introduce his club’s new No. 10 while referencing the rain. “Tonight, we’re doing this Miami-style in the rain,” Mas said. “This is holy water!”
Messi took the stage and briefly addressed the crowd before a tribute played on the video boards above the stadium. He was welcomed to the United States by a slew of A-list celebrities and athletes, including Stephen Curry, Tom Brady, Gloria and Emilio Estefan and DJ Khaled. “The World Is Yours to Take” by Tears for Fears featuring Lil Baby blasted through the stadium speakers.
However, when the fun is over and the referee blows his whistle for their debuts, a lot of work needs to be done as Inter Miami is in last position in the MLS this season.
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