Shalaka Kachare, Pune
Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine forward, has made a momentous decision to join Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer (MLS). On Saturday, July 15, the club announced on its social media and through a formal statement.
Messi signed the contract officially on July 15 after he announced his intent to join Inter Miami over five weeks ago. His first home game might be as early as Friday, in a League Cup encounter against Cruz Azul. The team will unveil him to his supporters at their stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi’s two and half-season contract with Inter Miami will pay him an annual salary between $50 million and $60 million, for a total contract value of $125 million to $150 million in cash. This was previously disclosed by Inter Miami.
Messi, who continues to be touted as football’s biggest player, is joining a group that is now last in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. Inter Miami, a young team in its fourth season, has never won a championship and now plays its home games in a makeshift facility that, after some hasty renovations, will only handle about 22,000 fans.
After a vacation, Messi came to South Florida on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the required physical exams and paperwork started, and on Saturday afternoon, the transaction was finalized. After spending two years with Paris Saint-Germain, he moved to Miami.
Lionel Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami CF is a game-changer, not just for the club and the MLS but for soccer as a whole in the United States. His presence will inspire generations of fans and players, shaping the future of American soccer and leaving an indelible legacy for years to come. As the world awaits his first appearance in the distinctive pink and black jersey of Inter Miami CF, one thing is certain – the beautiful game has found a new home in Miami and is in the hands of one of the greatest players ever.