2023-07-17 04:23:00
In the euphoria and in the rain, the sevenfold Argentine Golden Ball was applauded by more than 20,000 spectators during its presentation on Sunday.
By QM with AFP Lionel Messi was introduced on Sunday by his new club Inter Miami FC. © MIKE EHRMANN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP Published on 07/17/2023 at 04:23
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It’s a transfer that takes MLS to a new dimension. In front of thousands of euphoric but soaked fans, Inter Miami presented its new muse on Sunday July 16: the seven-time Argentinian Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi, who entered the lawn about an hour late because of the weather.
Neither the pouring rain nor the thunder prevented hearing the cries of the 20,000 fans gathered in the stadium of the Florida club, in Fort Lauderdale, to welcome their new star.
Microphone in hand, shoes in the puddles that appeared on the stage, number 10, smiling, thanked the spectators: “I am very happy to have chosen to come and play in this city, with my family, to having chosen this project, and I have no doubt that we are going to have a lot of fun, that we are going to have good times and that very beautiful things are going to happen, “he said, receiving a standing ovation. in return.
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Lionel Messi, 36, announced in June that he would leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract to join the Florida team, bottom of the Eastern Conference of the MLS, the North American league . Proof of the enthusiasm aroused by the arrival of the Argentinian, it was necessary to install temporary stands to accommodate all those who wanted to see him join the third club of his professional career, after FC Barcelona and PSG.
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‘The Unveil’, Messi’s presentation, was delayed by around an hour due to stormy weather conditions. The “Pulga” is undoubtedly the greatest footballer to sign in this championship since Pelé and his time at New York Cosmos between 1975 and 1977 or David Beckham at the Los Angeles Galaxy from 2007 to 2012. The former England international is also co-owner of Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi is there, his former Barça teammate Sergio Busquets has also been confirmed, there is still the question of the arrival of full-back Jordi Alba, close to the two players, to perhaps revive the team. The world champion will also find one of his former coaches at the Blaugranas: Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who was also coach of the Albiceleste.
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