LIONEL MESSI has been unveiled as an Inter Miami player – but only after a 90-minute severe weather delay.
The Argentina superstar is the biggest signing in MLS history.
David Beckham bent over backward to sign the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain icon, who won the World Cup with Argentina just eight months ago.
Inter Miami announced the arrival of Messi on Saturday and he will meet the fans at the DRV PNK Stadium alongside ex-Barca boss Gerardo Martino.
Stay up to date with all the latest from Lionel Messi’s unveiling…
And just like that…
It’s over.
Messi looks happy. Inter Miami’s fans sound happy.
The MLS has acquired the greatest player to ever play the game. Goodnight.
Grand entrance
This was the moment.
This was when Inter Miami’s new hero arrived.
Obviously the fans went wild.
The fireworks were decent too.
The moment they waited for
Messi, on stage, with Beckham and Co.
Oh, and the small matter of holding up his Inter Miami jersey in front of his fans.
What Busquets said
Hello everyone, thank you for coming, I’m happy to be here in Miami. For me it’s a blessing to be part of Inter Miami and I want to thank owner Jorge [Mas], Jose [Mas], David [Beckham]… for making it all possible. I’m so excited to start training and playing with my team-mates and see you soon.”
Sergio Busquets
Beckham’s full speech
Ten years ago, I started my journey to build a new MLS team. It’s always been a dream of mine to bring the best players in the world to the club and the great city of Miami. Players who shared our ambition to grow soccer in this country, who would inspire the next gen’ and help build a legacy in this sport… joins our family… please forgive me for feeling a little bit emotional tonight. It really is a dream come true to welcome Lionel Messi to Inter Miami.
“Leo we are so proud you have chosen this club for the next stage of your career…. Welcome to the family… we’re also so proud to be joined by the one and only Sergio Busquets. One of the most complete midfield players of his generation.
“We are building a special club here in Miami, a club that cares about the community it serves, our fans are what makes Inter Miami unique… together we will create unforgettable memories
“Like a lot of you, I can’t wait to see Leo take the field in our colors. Ladies and gentlemen the next chapter of our story starts here.”
David Beckham
Cruz control
Cruz Beckham is now on stage getting a huge from his old man.
David looks very emotional.
He did say he wanted to deliver a big name to the City.
It doesn’t get bigger than Messi.
Messi’s words in full
“Thank you very much, good night. First of all I want to thank all the people of Miami for this welcome, this affection. I am very happy to be here, to be with you. I want to thank Jose, David. They are making everything easy for us, everything has been spectacular since we arrived. I really want to start training and compete. I want to win, for the club to continue growing. I hope that you will join us as we have since the season began. I thank my new colleagues 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 have a good time. Thank you all very much for this day.”
Messi at his unveiling
Celebs in tow
Tom Brady pops up on the screen.
Steph Curry too, and DJ Khaled and Pitbull.
It’s a spectacle befitting of the world’s greatest talent from sport and music.
And they are all welcoming Messi to US shores.
Messi’s moment
In Spanish, Lionel Messi delivers his message to his adoring supporters.
“Thank you for the welcome. It has felt like home very quickly, ” he says into the mic.
“I want to start training and competing.”
Beckham on stage
Becks’ looked the business as he delivered his speech to Inter Miami’s fans.
He looks pleased as punch to announce his man.
‘Your no 10, America’s no 10 Lionel Messi…’
And there it is. Announced by Mas.
Messi takes to the rain-soaked cat walk, avoiding injury thanks to his nimble balance and managing to stay on his feet.
The crowd are loving this.
Mas takes centre stage
Never short of a sound bite or opinion, Jorge Mas dishes his two pence.
“This rain is like holy water,” he jokes.
“This is a city built of dreams,” he continues.
“This is our moment to change the landscape of football in this country.”
Support act
Sergio Busquets makes an appearance.
“I am so happy to be here,” he reveals. His English is superb.
Meanwhile, an Apple TV camera has spotted Sergio Aguero in the crowd.
He’s here for the main event.
Chapter and verse
“The next chapter of our story starts now,” Beckham proudly declares.
That’s after bigging up Sergio Busquets, who will be joining Messi on this crusade.
Don’t forget, Inter Miami are hopelessly bottom of their MLS conference and are unlikely to qualify for the play offs.
It’s been emotional
David Beckham can’t hide his feelings on the Messi capture.
“Forgive me for feeling a bit emotional tonight,” he tells the crowd.
Is that a tear drop streaming down his face?
No, it’s probably rain.
Careful now!
Beckham and Mas take to the stage.
It is still raining, and it’s a hazardous runway they have to negotiate.
Oops! Mas nearly slips!
Beckham begins… in Spanish. “Bueno,” he starts.
Licence to thrill
One of the presenters on stage is urging fans to buy an Inter Miami licence plate.
But they only have one thing to say… or sing.
“Messi, Messi, Messi.’
They are waiting (patiently) for their talisman.
It’s getting heavier
Now we’re being treated to a wall of sound in the shape of techno.
Is this Inter Miami’s stadium or a South Beach hotspot, one asks?
We’ll soon find out!
When’s the unveiling!
Kick in the pyrotechnics
It’s wild now at the DRV PNK.
Fireworks are going off and it’s a party atmosphere.
The fans are, unsurprisingly, lapping it up says The US Sun reporter Steve Brenner in the field.
It. Is. Going. Off.
Here we go!
Lights down, light show incoming.
Messi’s image is flashed on the big screens around the stadium.
Fans gasp.
Becks fulfilling his TV duties
With Apple TV being host broadcasters, David Beckham is doing an interview with them pitchside.
Skirting across the sodden turf, he’s there suited and booted.
Careful of those shoes, Becks.
The commissioner is giving interviews
Don Garber is doing some press.
It’s a big day for the MLS Commissioner, welcoming an all-time great to US soccer fans.
A clue to the entertainment
Marc Anthony has also arrived at the DRV PNK Stadium.
The singer was famous for his marriage to Jennifer Lopez.
Will he be performing tonight?
Busquets is here
Inter Miami new boy Sergio Busquets has also shown up.
Will it be a double unveiling?
He’s here!
Lionel Messi has arrived on site.
He is flanked with wife Antonella and their kids, Thiago, 10, Mateo, 7 and Ciro, 5.
Credit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
