A wave of excitement reverberated through the soccer world as David Beckham, the revered owner of Inter Miami CF, officially welcomed Lionel Messi to his club on July 15. The monumental news broke through the digital realm, with Inter Miami’s Twitter account ecstatically announcing the acquisition of the legendary Argentine playmaker on an unprecedented free transfer. Lauded as the epitome of football greatness, Messi’s forthcoming debut in Major League Soccer (MLS) is eagerly anticipated, following his successful spell with Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, where he clinched the illustrious Ligue 1 title twice in consecutive seasons.
Leaving an indelible mark, the 34-year-old maestro concluded his tenure in the French league on a high note, claiming the crown of the top assist provider for the 2022-2023 Ligue 1 campaign. Displaying his unmatched prowess, Messi outshone his former teammate Kylian Mbappe, who had held the prestigious title the previous year, accumulating an impressive tally of 16 assists in 32 league appearances. Taking to Instagram, Beckham expressed his sentiments in a heartfelt post, stating, “The next chapter of our story begins now. A decade ago, when I embarked on this journey, my dream was to bring the world’s greatest players to Miami… Players who shared the same ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy, to cultivate football’s growth in this country and forge a lasting legacy in the sport we hold dear.”
He continued, “Today, that dream becomes a reality. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club, but I am equally delighted to welcome a dear friend, an extraordinary individual, and his beautiful family to our cherished Inter Miami CF community.”
After leading Argentina to World Cup triumph in Qatar last year, Messi now sets his sights on donning the Inter Miami CF jersey, a team currently positioned at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. To celebrate his arrival, a momentous event will be held at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Messi will be formally introduced to the fervent fans on July 16 at 8 PM ET (July 17, 5:30 AM as per India time). Delighted by Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami CF and the league, MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized the impact this move has on elevating the global prominence of MLS.
Garber believes that Messi’s presence will serve as a shining example of the league’s appeal to top-tier players, further solidifying the sport’s foundation in North America. Messi is expected to make his debut for Inter Miami later in July, with initial reports suggesting a potential first appearance against Liga MX outfit Cruz Azul on July 21.
