Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players in football history, has set many records and won countless titles in his career. After a long time of dedication to Barcelona and then Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi decided to change his destination. In the summer of 2023, the news that Messi joined Inter Miami – a team of the American Major League Soccer (MLS) – created a fever among football fans. The move to Inter Miami was not only a surprising decision, but also marked an important turning point in Messi’s career, when he chose to leave European football for the North American football environment. So exactly when did Messi join inter Miami? Today, let’s find out with Bestsoccertips through the article below!
When did Messi join inter Miami?
Lionel Messi officially joined Inter Miami in 2023 on a free transfer and was introduced by the American team on the morning of July 17 (Hanoi time). Although the information about the contract signing was confirmed more than a month ago, Inter Miami only officially posted the announcement of Messi’s recruitment on the homepage in the early morning of July 16, 2023. This is a highly anticipated event, marking a new chapter in the career of the Argentine superstar.
Sharing about this transfer, Messi expressed his joy at starting a new journey at Inter Miami and the United States. He said that this is “a great opportunity” and expressed his excitement at being on the field, along with his determination to achieve great goals with the team. The 36-year-old star will continue to wear the familiar number 10 shirt in Inter Miami’s shirt.
The event to introduce Messi to fans, called “The Unveil,” took place at the DRV PNK stadium. With a 3-year contract, Messi will receive a salary of 50 to 60 million USD per year. In particular, Messi’s first match in the Inter Miami shirt is expected to take place on July 21, 2023, when his team faces Cruz Azul in the League Cup.
Inter Miami is an emerging team in the US, founded in 2018 and officially participating in the US Major League Soccer (MLS) since 2020. This team is owned by the billionaire family of Jorge Mas, Jose Mas, and former player David Beckham. With the addition of Messi, Inter Miami is expected to create a great attraction and become a new force in the MLS.
Is Messi playing tonight inter Miami?
Lionel Messi will continue to be a key source of inspiration for Inter Miami in their next crucial match against Atlanta United. In their most recent home game against Atlanta, Messi was instrumental in helping the Herons to an impressive win and take the lead in the First Round playoffs.
That match saw Inter Miami win 2-1 thanks to goals from Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba, with Messi constantly putting pressure on the Atlanta United defence, forcing goalkeeper Brad Guzan to work hard to stop him. However, in the return leg in Atlanta, Messi’s side failed to hold on to their advantage and the match ended in a draw.
The deciding game will take place on Saturday, November 9, in Ft. Lauderdale. It is the final match in this series, where only one team will advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Messi is expected to start, ready to fight to avoid an unfortunate end to the season. However, one of his close teammates, Sergio Busquets, will be absent from the starting line-up, despite being named on the bench.
How much did inter Miami pay for Messi?
Lionel Messi has now played a total of 35 games for Inter Miami in all competitions, an impressive tally in his first season with the club. During these games, he has scored 30 goals and provided 17 assists, continuing his excellent form throughout his career.
With these numbers, Messi has quickly proven his influence and ability in MLS. His achievements are a testament to his continued excellence, even since he first joined Inter Miami.
How many games has Messi played for inter Miami?
Inter Miami have signed Lionel Messi to a $60 million-a-year contract, marking a major milestone in the player’s career. Messi, who won four Champions League titles with Barcelona and scored a total of 672 goals in 778 club appearances, will continue his career in the United States with a contract that not only covers his salary but also includes new agreements with major partners such as Adidas and Apple. This is a big step for both Messi and Inter Miami.
Upon joining Inter Miami, Messi expressed his joy and excitement at entering a new phase in his career: “I am very excited to start the next step in my career at Inter Miami and in the United States. This is a great opportunity, and I am very excited to build a great project with the team. I am looking forward to making my debut in my new home.”
David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, also did not hide his pride when sharing about signing Messi. He called it a “dream come true”, recalling the process of building the team from the beginning: “Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I dreamed of bringing in the greatest players, players with the same ambition as I did when I joined LA Galaxy. That dream has now come true, and I couldn’t be prouder to have Messi, a player of such caliber, join our club.”
With this $ 60 million contract, Messi is expected to make his debut in the match against Cruz Azul on July 21 in the Leagues Cup. Don Garber, the official of Major League Soccer (MLS), shared the excitement: “We are very happy that the greatest player in the world has chosen Inter Miami and MLS. Messi’s decision is a testament to the momentum and potential of the league, and we are looking forward to seeing him make his debut.”
Messi has now played less than a season for Inter Miami when you add up his appearances in all competitions. His numbers, in Messi form, are incredible. Messi has played in 35 games for Miami, scoring 30 goals and providing 17 assists. Pretty good.
Conclusion
So through the above article, you have known when did Messi join inter Miami? Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, an event that not only affected his career but also made a mark in the history of MLS and American football. Messi’s choice of Inter Miami shows that he is not only looking for a new challenge but also wants to inspire and promote football in the North American region. Although he is no longer playing in the top European leagues, Messi is still a shining star and continues to captivate fans around the world. His appearance at Inter Miami promises to bring new pages of history to the team and help American football develop more strongly in the future. Thank you for following our article!
