Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami, has announced that Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has signed a contract until 2025.
The 36-year-old striker, who was instrumental in Argentina’s World Cup victory last year in Qatar, will be officially introduced by the club on Sunday and might make his debut with Inter Miami as early as Friday.
“I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” Messi, who moves from Paris Saint-Germain, said in a statement.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to increase interest in football and the MLS across the United States and turn around the fortunes of a Miami team that is now 5-13 with three draws in the MLS Eastern Conference.
“This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project,” Messi said. “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.”
Messi is anticipated to make his MLS and Mexican league debut on Friday when Inter Miami hosts Cruz Azul as part of the Leagues Cup.
The North American League has never had such a boost as it has since English icon David Beckham, who is currently a co-owner of Inter Miami, joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. After searching for a stadium location for many years, he finally created the MLS team in 2020.
“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, 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,” Beckham said in a statement.
“Today that dream came true.
“I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber 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.”
