Messi and his ex-Barcelona teammate Busquets signal offers that may hold them on the MLS membership till 2025.
A sold-out crowd of about 20,000 waited by a delay attributable to torrential rain and heavy lightning to formally welcome Lionel Messi to Inter Miami on Sunday.
The ceremony, dubbed La PresentaSIon, at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, additionally marked Miami’s official signing of former FC Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets. The 35-year-old Spaniard landed a deal that runs by the 2025 season.
Busquets and Messi have been teammates with Barcelona for 15 seasons.
The occasion began about two hours later than initially scheduled with moist however delighted followers chanting Messi’s title because the lights dimmed on the venue.
The membership’s co-owner David Beckham opened the ceremony, saying Messi’s arrival was a “dream come true”.
“Leo, we’re so proud that you’ve got chosen our membership for the following stage in your profession,” mentioned the previous Manchester United participant whose transfer to MLS’s Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 was the league’s earlier greatest arrival.
“Welcome to our household Leo,” Beckham added in Spanish, to roars from the group.
Upon being launched, Messi briefly addressed the group earlier than the group performed a tribute video on the scoreboard display. The likes of Tom Brady, Stephen Curry, DJ Khaled, and Gloria and Emilio Estefan welcomed Messi to the US.
“Thanks very a lot to all of the folks for supporting me and giving me this love,” Messi mentioned in Spanish. “I’m very comfortable to be right here in Miami.
“I actually wish to begin coaching, to compete, I’ve the identical need that I all the time needed to compete, to wish to win, to assist the membership proceed to develop.
“I’m very comfortable to have chosen to return to play on this metropolis with my household, to decide on this venture and I’ve little question that we’re going to get pleasure from it lots, we’re going to have an excellent time and excellent issues are going to occur.”
Inter Miami confirmed on Saturday that the seven-times Ballon d’Or winner had signed a deal that may hold him with the membership till 2025.
As for Busquets, he was a member of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad in 2010 and earned 143 worldwide caps. He retired from worldwide play following the 2022 World Cup.
His contract with Barcelona was not renewed this season, which opened up a chance to hitch Messi with the Herons.
“I’m excited to welcome Sergio Busquets to Inter Miami,” managing proprietor Jorge Mas mentioned in a information launch. “Since day one we’ve got got down to carry the world’s finest gamers. Sergio’s repertoire speaks for itself.”
Busquets mentioned in a press launch, “It is a particular and thrilling alternative that I’m very excited to take. I’m trying ahead to this subsequent step in my profession with Inter Miami.
“I used to be impressed by the membership after I got here with Barcelona final yr and now I’m comfortable and able to characterize the membership myself. I can’t wait to assist carry the success that this bold membership strives for.”
Busquets additionally has a stable relationship with just lately employed Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, the previous headman at Barcelona for the 2013-14 season who additionally had a stable bond with Messi.
Inter Miami is experiencing a troublesome MLS marketing campaign and has the worst report (5-14-3, 18 factors) within the 29-team league.
The Herons are winless of their previous 11 MLS matches (0-8-3), with their final victory a 2-1 dwelling choice over the New England Revolution on Could 13.
