On July 15, Inter Miami CF had some big news to share – they announced the signing of none other than Lionel Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup Champion from Argentina. His contract will run through the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
Co-Owner of the club, David Beckham, expressed his excitement, reminiscing about how he dreamt of bringing the world’s greatest players to Miami a decade ago when he started building the team. He talked about the ambition to grow football in the USA and leave a legacy for future generations. And now, that dream has come true with Leo joining their ranks. Beckham warmly welcomed his good friend and amazing person, along with his beautiful family, to the Inter Miami community.
Messi himself expressed his enthusiasm about embarking on this new chapter in his career with Inter Miami and in the United States. He saw it as a fantastic opportunity to continue building this beautiful project together with the team.
The moment of truth arrived with Messi’s debut for Inter Miami CF, and it was nothing short of a dream. The game was a star-studded affair with famous personalities like LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams, and, of course, the Beckhams in attendance. Inter Miami CF secured a 2-1 victory, and the highlight was Messi’s magical 94th-minute free-kick that sealed the deal.
Messi’s list of personal achievements is impressive, with numerous Ballon d’Or titles, FIFA Men’s Player awards, and World Cup Golden Balls, making him the only player to win the award twice. He’s also earned several other accolades, including UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Awards, European Golden Shoes, La Liga Best Player recognitions, Pichichi Trophies, and Argentine Footballer of the Year awards.
Throughout his illustrious career, Messi has been a part of many winning teams, boasting victories in the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cups, La Liga titles, and more. He also played a crucial role in leading Argentina to their Copa América and FIFA World Cup triumphs.
The soccer legend holds an impressive array of records across various competitions. He’s known for scoring the most goals in a calendar year, most goals in Europe’s top five leagues, most La Liga goals, most UEFA Champions League group stage goals, most UEFA Champions League round of 16 goals, and the list goes on. Messi’s impact on the international stage is just as remarkable, setting records for most caps, most goals, and most World Cup match appearances for Argentina.
Messi spent the majority of his club career with FC Barcelona, where he made history with a record number of appearances, goals, and assists. After that, he had a successful stint with Paris Saint-Germain in France, where he continued to showcase his skills and was recognized as Ligue 1 Best Foreign Player of the Season. Born in Rosario, Argentina, Messi’s contribution to his national team, La Albiceleste, has been monumental, captaining them to their historic Copa América and FIFA World Cup triumphs. He holds records for appearances, goals, and assists for the national team. Interestingly, Messi had the opportunity to work with Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino during two separate stints – once with FC Barcelona and later with the Argentine national team.
Fans worldwide can catch all the action, including Messi’s games with Inter Miami, through the MLS Season Pass, a subscription service available in over 100 countries and regions on the Apple TV app and other devices. With Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami CF has undoubtedly entered an exciting new phase, and soccer enthusiasts around the globe are eager to witness the magic unfold on the field.
