By Official Florida FC
Lionel Messi will play a competitive match in Major League Soccer.
It is a simplistic and absurd statement. It’s also a fact.
Inter Miami announced Saturday afternoon the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has signed with the club. He will be unveiled on Sunday. Reportedly, his first match for the Herons will be on July 21 in the Leagues Cup against Cruz Azul.
There have been others who have won the World Cup, earned the Ballon d’Or and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy who have played in MLS. But, no one – not even David Beckham or Thierry Henry – has the game, the name and the fame that the resplendent and relentless man from Rosario.
“We are overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose 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 in a statement.
Messi may be 36, but he captioned the world champions seven months ago. The photo he posted on Instagram holding the trophy aloft is the most liked image in the history of the platform.
The 75 million Instagram accounts that liked the image of Messi on his teammates shoulders in Doha is more than the double the combined reach of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees.
“I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” Messi said in a statement. “This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.”
His new home is in Miami, Florida. Unbelievable!
