Lionel Messi has now been officially confirmed as an Inter Miami player.
The MLS side formally announced the arrival of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner on Saturday with a lavish ceremony dubbed ’The Unveil’ to introduce him to supporters taking place on Sunday.
Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup success last December, left Paris Saint-Germain in June after two years with the French giants.
The 36-year-old at one stage looked close to sealing a return to Barcelona, the club he left in 2021 after coming through their academy and scoring 672 goals in 778 appearances.
Messi opted for a new challenge State-side, however, signing a two-and-a-half year deal.
‘I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,’ said Messi
‘This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project.
‘The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.’
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham is among those who has been laying the groundwork for Messi’s arrival for a number of years, hailing his arrival as the start ‘of the next phase our adventure’.
‘Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city,’ said Beckham.
‘[I wanted] players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much.
‘Today that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s calibre is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community.
‘The next phase of our adventure starts here, and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the pitch.’
MORE : David Beckham speaks out on Lionel Messi’s blockbuster Inter Miami move
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