Lionel Messi, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion, has joined Inter Miami CF. The Argentine great is likely to join the squad in the following days as a Designated Player, and his contract will last through the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
“I am honoured to welcome Leo Messi and his family to their new home,” Inter Miami CF Managing Owner Jorge Mas said. “We promised in 2018 that we would build an ambitious club that would attract the world’s best players.” A club that would change the worldwide perception of football in the United States and guarantee that your Inter Miami is mentioned whenever football is talked. A sincere thank you to our followers who never gave up hope. We will continue to work together to make dreams come true.”
“Ten years ago, when I began my journey to establish a new team in Miami, I stated that I hoped to bring the best players in the world to this incredible city.” “Players who shared my ambition when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the United States and to leave a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we all love,” stated David Beckham, Co-Owner. “That dream came true today.” I am overjoyed to welcome a wonderful friend, an outstanding guy, and his gorgeous family to the Inter Miami community. The next chapter of our journey begins today, and I can’t wait to watch Leo take the stage.”
“I’m very excited to start this next chapter in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” Messi stated. “This is an incredible opportunity, and we will continue to build this beautiful project together.” The aim is to collaborate to accomplish the goals we’ve established, and I’m excited to get started here in my new home.”
“We are overjoyed that the greatest player in the world has chosen Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer, and his decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our League and our sport in North America,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “There is no doubt in our minds that Lionel will demonstrate to the world that MLS can be a League of Choice for the best players in the game.” We’re looking forward to watching him make his Inter Miami debut later this month in our Leagues Cup event.”
Messi will first be available for selection for Inter Miami CF when they take on Cruz Azul in the opening match of Leagues Cup on 21 July. Leagues Cup is a new North American football tournament in which MLS and LIGA MX will pause their respective league seasons from 21 to August 19 to determine the three clubs that will qualify for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. In the official Concacaf competition, all 47 first division teams from Canada, Mexico, and the United States will participate in a World Cup-style format. Tickets for the July 21 match are still available and can be bought here. Four days later, the Club will play Atlanta United in their second League Cup encounter. Tickets for the July 25 game versus Atlanta United may be purchased here.
Fans all around the globe can watch Messi, Inter Miami, and all the action on MLS Season Pass, Apple and Major League Soccer’s subscription programme that is accessible in over 100 countries and territories. MLS Season Pass is available via the Apple TV app for smart TVs, streaming devices, Apple devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, as well as online at tv.apple.com.
“This is a historic moment for Inter Miami, MLS, and ftbol in the United States, both on the sporting front and in this new era of business opportunities,” Inter Miami CF Chief economic Officer Xavier Asensi remarked. “Lionel is the greatest player of all time, which has naturally led us to design an unprecedented sporting agreement.” We are really delighted to have been able to offer Leo with an exceptional project that we are certain will benefit all parties involved.”
“Lionel Messi is a one-of-a-kind talent.” “What he brings on and off the pitch will elevate everyone around him, and we’re excited to have him at Inter Miami,” said Chris Henderson, Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director.
Messi has a record seven Ballon d’Or trophies, three Best FIFA Men’s Player honours, and two FIFA World Cup Golden Balls, making him the first player to win the trophy twice. He has also won three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year honours, six European Golden Shoes, six La Liga Best Player accolades, eight Pichichi Trophies, and 15 Argentine Footballer of the Year honours.
To date, the 36-year-old Argentine has won scores of team titles. Messi has four UEFA Champions League championships, an Olympic gold medal, three FIFA Club World Cups, ten La Liga titles, two Ligue 1 titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and one Trophée des Champions to his name. On the international level, Messi led Argentina to the 2021 CONMEBOL Copa América championship and the 2022 CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions, before guiding his team to a historic 2022 FIFA World Cup victory.
Messi owns multiple records in several tournaments, in addition to trophies and personal honours. He famously holds the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year, with 91 in 2012. He also has the most goals in Europe’s top five leagues (496), the most La Liga goals (474), the most La Liga goals in a single season (50), the most UEFA Champions League group stage goals (80), the most UEFA Champions League round of 16 goals (29), and the most consecutive seasons scoring in UEFA Champions League (18). Messi holds the Argentina records for the most caps (175), goals (103), and World Cup goals (13), as well as the international record for the most World Cup match appearances (26) and being the only player to score in the World Cup group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
Messi spent the bulk of his club career with FC Barcelona, rising through the junior levels until making his professional debut in 17 seasons. The renowned playmaker appeared in 780 games for the squad, scoring 672 goals and assisting on 291 others. His appearance and goal totals are both the highest in the club’s history.
Messi spent two seasons in France with Paris Saint-Germain after his historic tenure with Barcelona. He appeared in 75 games with the squad, scoring 32 goals and providing 35 assists. Last season, he was named Ligue 1’s Best Foreign Player of the Season after scoring 16 league goals and providing 16 league assists, placing him second on the squad in goals, second in total goal contributions, and first in assists.
Messi, who was born in Rosario, Argentina, has created national team history. In addition to captaining La Albiceleste to historic CONMEBOL Copa América and FIFA World Cup wins in 2021 and 2022, he commanded the squad for over two decades, breaking records along the way. He has made 175 appearances for the squad, scoring 103 goals and assisting on 56 occasions.
Notably, Messi was previously guided by Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino in two distinct periods – with FC Barcelona in the 2013-14 season, when he won the 2013 Supercopa de Espaa, and with the Argentine national team between 2014 and 2016.
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