Despite a delayed start due to a torrential downpour and lightning storm, a soggy sold-out crowd welcomed Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi to South Florida Sunday night as the World Cup champion was unveiled as an Inter Miami player.
Messi, a humble hero, showed up in a white Adidas t-shirt (always on brand) and faded jeans and was greeted on stage by the team’s co-owners David Beckham, and Jorge and Jose Mas as fireworks filled the air. Fans, many dressed in replica Messi No. 10 jerseys, took photos and cheered for their hero. One fan even brought a live goat to the parking lot, as Messi is regarded by many as the Greatest Of All Time.
“First of all I want to thank all the people of Miami for this welcome, this affection,” Messi began. “I am very happy to be here, to be with you. I want to thank Jose and David for the welcome. They are making everything easy for us, everything has been spectacular since we arrived and we feel at home already.
“I really want to start training and compete. I want to win, for the club to continue growing. I thank my new teammates for the welcome. I am very happy to have chosen this city with my family, to have chosen this project. I have no doubt that we are going to share beautiful moments together.”
As for the rainy conditions, Jorge Mas joked: “We are doing this Miami style, in the rain. It is holy water. Es agua bendita.”
Messi is expected to make his debut Friday night at DRV PNK Stadium against Mexican team Cruz Azul in the opening game of the Leagues Cup tournament.
Here is what Messi’s ceremony looked like:
Lionel Messi walks toward the stage during Inter Miami’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi walks onto the stage during Inter Miami CF’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Lauren Witte/lwitte@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi presents his jersey next to Inter Miami owners, Jorge Mas, far-left, Jose Mas, third from left, and David Beckham, far-right, during the team’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi speaks during Inter Miami’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami Co-owner David Beckham reacts during his team’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro walk on the stage during Inter Miami’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro walk on the stage during Inter Miami’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. Lauren Witte/lwitte@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi and David Beckham embrace during Inter Miami’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
Fireworks are launched during Inter Miami’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
Harold Fores Vandecaveye looks out at the field during The Unveil event to welcome Lionel Messi to MLS and the Inter Miami CF team at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “I love Messi,” Vandecaveye said. Lauren Witte/lwitte@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo reacts during Inter Miami’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
Fans cheer before the start of Inter Miami’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. Lauren Witte/lwitte@miamiherald.com
Sergio Busquets presents his jersey next to Inter Miami owners, Jorge Mas, far-left, Jose Mas, third from left, and David Beckham, far-right, during the team’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
A fan looks on before the start of Inter Miami’s The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
Attendees cheer and wave during The Unveil event, where Lionel Messi was welcomed to MLS and the Inter Miami CF team, at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Lauren Witte/lwitte@miamiherald.com
Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi arrives to DRV PNK Stadium before Inter Miami CF’s The Unveil event on Sunday, July 16, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Lauren Witte/lwitte@miamiherald.com
Andrea Monzani, left, and Emma Morales try to stay dry during a weather delay before the start of Inter Miami’s The Unveil at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets to the team. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com
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