Argentine star Lionel Messi has talked for the first time since moving to Inter Miami when he was officially paraded to cheering crowds at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday night.
A sold-out crowd of about 20,000 waited through downpours and lightning to see the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner given a number 10 shirt. The World Cup-winning forward joined the Major League Soccer (MLS) club on a deal until the end of 2025.
“I really want to start training, to compete,” said Messi, adding: “I have the same desire that I always had to compete, to want to win, to help the club continue to grow. 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.
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“We are going to have a good time and very good things are going to happen.”
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham hailed Messi’s signing as a “dream come true” by stating: “Leo, we are so proud that you have chosen our club for the next stage in your career.”
Messi will first be available for selection for Inter Miami when they take on LIGA MX side, Cruz Azul in the July 21 opening match of Leagues Cup, a new North American soccer tournament in which MLS and LIGA MX will pause their respective league seasons from July 21 to August 19 to determine the three clubs that will qualify for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
The 36-year-old Argentine has also lifted dozens of team trophies to this point in his career. Notably, Messi has won the Uefa Champions League four times, an Olympic gold medal, three Fifa Club World Cups, 10 La Liga titles, two Ligue 1 titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and one Trophée des Champions.
He played the majority of his club career with Barcelona, coming through the youth ranks and going on to feature for the senior team across 17 seasons. The legendary playmaker made 780 appearances for the team, scoring 672 goals and registering 291 assists in the process.