Lionel Messi was introduced as an Inter Miami player in front of a raucous sellout crowd of over 20,000 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday night. Messi was welcomed in the driving rain with an impressive display of pyrotechnics and star-studded video messages (Tom Brady! Steph Curry! Gregg!), and he thanked the crowd for making his family feel so welcome in the city.
The addition of the Saudi Pro League to the soccer scene won't jeopardize the well-being of Major League Soccer, commissioner Don Garber said.
Speaking to reporters Sunday night at the welcoming ceremony for Lionel Messi to his new MLS club, Inter Miami CF, Garber said he isn't fazed by the commitment made by the Saudi Public Investment Fund to pro soccer.
Es oficial-oficial: Lionel Messi es jugador del Inter Miami.
La estrella argentina fue presentada en el DNV PRK Stadium en un show denominado "La PresentaSÍon", el cual tuvo una serie de números musicales y también un diluvio que obligó a pausar el evento por algunos minutos.
A massive crowd at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale welcomed Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets to Inter Miami on Sunday night with bumping music, an impressive light display, pyrotechnics and a collection of hype videos setting the tone.
Soak it in, Leo Messi.
The warmest of welcomes to @InterMiamiCF. pic.twitter.com/STzKSDrBGh
Inter Miami have completed the signing of former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets on a deal until 2025, the Major League Soccer side said on Sunday.
Busquets, 35, will be reunited with his friend and former teammate Lionel Messi after not renewing his contract at Barça following an 18-year stay.
The 2010 World Cup winner will join the squad in the coming days and will occupy a Designated Player slot, the club added.
It's time.
Lionel Messi is going to be officially presented as a new player of Inter Miami this Sunday (6 p.m. ET) during a show called "The Unveil" or "La PresentaSÍon."
Sí, Muchachos pic.twitter.com/8E3f9hb9VU
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 15, 2023
League play has come to a halt but watching Matchday 26, you’d never be able to tell. With the All-Star Game around the corner and the highly advertised Leagues Cup set to kick off in less than a week, teams were still in high gear across the league.
Diego Luna scored a goal in each half to lead Real Salt Lake to a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night in Sandy, Utah.
Luna's scoring helped Salt Lake extend its unbeaten run to nine matches. Jefferson Savarino added a third goal late in the second half.
Lionel Messi had a close call today nearly getting into a car accident leaving Inter Miami practice. A video posted by TyC Sports shows Messi in a white car running a red light and almost getting hit by cars going through the intersection.
While he awaits his official presentation in Inter Miami (Sunday, July 16), Lionel Messi is starting to blend with life in the United States. The Argentine star was seen Thursday night making a run to Publix, a local grocery store, with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three kids.
Of course, his presence didn't go unnoticed.
Several fans doing their night shopping spotted the World Cup champion between the aisles and requested him to pose for a quick selfie.
And Messi indulged them.