MIAMI — Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has completed his move to Inter Miami on a deal running to 2025, the Major League Soccer outfit has announced.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will be joining the squad in the coming days and will hold a franchise player spot, the club added.
The 36-year-old himself said: “This is a great opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project,” said Messi according to Reuters.
“The idea is to work together to achieve the goals we set ourselves and I’m really looking forward to being able to start helping here in my new home.”
Messi is expected to make his debut next Saturday when Miami host Mexico’s Cruz Azul in their Leagues Cup opener.
Team co-owner David Beckham said: “I dreamed of bringing the best players in the world, players with the same ambition I had when I came to the LA Galaxy to help grow football in the United States and build a legacy in this sport we love so much.
“Today that dream has become a reality. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is coming to our club, but I am also thrilled to welcome a good friend, an incredible person and his beautiful family to our Inter Miami community.”
Having the World Cup winner on board promises to be a big boost for soccer in the US where the sport trails in popularity behind the other major North American men’s professional leagues.
A formal press conference is scheduled for Monday, with Messi and Miami ownership.
“We are overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami and MLS, and his decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our League and our sport in North America,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
“We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a League of Choice for the best players in the game.”
“We are overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer, and his decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our League and our sport in North America,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement.
He is a four-time Champions League winner and his 129 goals in the top club competition are second to Ronaldo´s 140.
Messi has won 10 La Liga titles and two Ligue 1 championships, seven Copa del Reys and three Club World Cups plus a Copa América and Olympic gold medal for Argentina.
“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,” Beckham said.
“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.
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