The New Era in Major League Soccer: Lionel Messi’s Unveiling at Inter Miami

The new era in Major League Soccer began with a two-hour delay. There was lightning and storming in South Florida as Lionel Messi was due to be unveiled at Inter Miami on Sunday. But what’s a 120-minute wait compared to the 28-year history of Major League Soccer? And here, in MLS, he will dribble, run, shoot, shine – Lionel Messi. In a league that has not been short of big names in the past, the exceptional Argentinian footballer stands above all.

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The 36-year-old is taller than Thierry Henry, Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Beckham. He came to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 as the captain of the English national team, helped the MLS to gain an international reputation – and is now a co-owner of Inter Miami. Messi now wears the pink jersey of his new employer as a seven-time world footballer, captain of world champions Argentina and “most valuable player” of the World Cup that ended seven months ago through the MLS arenas.

I am very moved to be here in Miami with you all.

Lionel Messi at his presentation

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“Inter Miami’s number ten. America’s number ten. Best number ten in the world – Lionel Andres Messi,” roared the stadium speakers as the superstar stepped into the spotlight at the darkened DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. It was still raining lightly – but it was still a sunny moment. Dressed in white shoes, jeans and a white t-shirt, Messi strode down the catwalk towards Beckham and the other two club owners, Jorge and Jose Mas. Fireworks from the roofs of the stands lit up the dark evening sky.

“I’m very moved to be here in Miami, to be here with you guys,” Messi said to the 18,000 fans in the sold-out arena. He spoke Spanish – but that’s never been a problem in Miami, America’s city with the most Latin flair. The new comes as a beacon of hope for the club and league. Miami is bottom and has not won in eleven league games. Twelve points are missing from a playoff place, with twelve games to play.

The MLS wants to gain international recognition through Messi – and position itself as a market for more stars. “We want to become the league of choice for players, fans, partners and investors,” said league commissioner Don Garber. And if “the best player of all time” decides for MLS, Garber continues, it is “a real testament to where MLS is – and in which direction it will go in the years to come.”

Inter Miami: Messi debut planned for Friday

On Saturday, Messi signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with an option for a further year. His salary is said to be between $50 million and $60 million a year. On Tuesday he will train with his new team for the first time. Then he will meet two familiar faces. Coach Gerardo Martino, whom Messi knows from FC Barcelona and the national team – and his long-time Barca team-mate Sergio Busquets, who also joined Miami until 2025.

Messi’s debut should be on Friday, Miami meets Cruz Azul from Mexico in the Leagues Cup. “He’ll find it’s not easy here,” warns Wayne Rooney. The Englishman has been a coach at DC United in Washington since last year. In addition to addressing how the league is played, Rooney also addresses weather conditions and travel across different time zones.

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“With Bayern, I never flew as far to Champions League games as I do to regular league games here,” said Bastian Schweinsteiger during his time (2017 to 2019) at the Chicago Fire. MLS means snow in Toronto, Chicago or Montreal, subtropical weather in Florida or Texas and games at 1600 meters in Denver.

He is looking forward to everything, can’t wait, said Messi – and promised: “We will have a good time, great things will happen here.”

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2023-07-17 06:42:16
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