Rick Ross, others give unprecedented reception to Leo Messi in Miami

 

Emmanuel Ukudolo I Tuesday, July 18, 2023

 

MIAMI, United States – Even though many in sports circles have condemned his move to the American Club, Inter Miami CF, it appears that Leo Messi, often referred to as the world’s greatest player could be right after all, putting into consideration what is currently going on in Miami, the United States.

Messi, who has won the Ballon D’Or seven times in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021 joined the Inter Miami CF from Inter Millan for $171,000 per day, $1.2 million per week and $4.8 million per month and about $7,100 per hour.

Messi, who has 479 million followers on Instagram is second on this social media platform only to his closest rival, Christiano Ronald who has 596 million followers.

The entry of Leo Messi who was unveiled to thousands of fans in Miami on Saturday is seen as a great pomp to the local league. Already his debut ticket according to CNN sold for as much as $110,000 and sold out. Messi’s fans cut across celebrities. The great American rapper, Rick Ross, who called him the greatest player, rolled out his best cars to welcome the living legend and to show him how much Americans love him.

His contract at Inter Miami CF will run through the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season and his age of 36 seems not to be a big deal based on his footballing skill.

Announcing his arrival to the club, Inter Miami CF Managing Owner, Jorge Mas said. “I am honoured to welcome Leo Messi and his family to their new home. In 2018, we made a promise to build an ambitious club that would attract the world’s elite players; a club that would transform the global view of football in the United States and ensure that wherever football is discussed, your Inter Miami is part of the conversation. A heartfelt thank you to our fans that never stopped believing. Together we will continue to turn dreams into reality”, he promised.

For Co-Owner, David Beckham, one of the most flamboyant in the world of soccer, with several millions to show in endorsement said. “Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city. Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much.

“Today that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community. The next phase of our adventure starts here, and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the pitch”, he said in respect of the living soccer legend.

MLS Commissioner, Don Garber was almost shedding tears of joy in speaking on the development. “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.

“We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a League of Choice for the best players in the game. We look forward to seeing his debut for Inter Miami in our Leagues Cup tournament later this month”, he said.

“This is a historic moment for Inter Miami, MLS, and football in the United States, both on the sporting side and in this new era of business opportunities,” Inter Miami CF Chief Business Officer, Xavier Asensi said.

“Lionel is the best player of all time which has, naturally, led us to design an unprecedented agreement in the sporting world. We’re tremendously proud to have been able to present Leo with an extraordinary project that we’re sure will be beneficial for all of the parties involved.

“Lionel Messi is an incomparable talent. What he brings on and off the field will elevate everyone around him and we’re excited to have him at Inter Miami,” said Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director, Chris Henderson said.

In his reply, Messi, noted that he is very excited to start this next step in his career with Inter Miami and in the United States.

“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”, he said.

Messi will first be available for selection for Inter Miami CF when they take on LIGA MX side, Cruz Azul in the July 21 opening match of Leagues Cup, a new North American soccer tournament.

Messi’s personal accolades include a record seven Ballon d’Or titles, three The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards and two FIFA World Cup Golden Balls – making him the only player to win the award twice. He has also claimed three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Awards, six European Golden Shoes, six La Liga Best Player recognitions, eight Pichichi Trophies and 15 Argentine Footballer of the Year awards.

The 36-year-old Argentine has also lifted dozens of team trophies to this point in his career. Notably, Messi has won the UEFA Champions League four times, an Olympic gold medal, three FIFA Club World Cups, 10 La Liga titles, two Ligue 1 titles, seven Copa del Rey titles and one Trophée des Champions. On the international stage, Messi guided Argentina to the 2021 CONMEBOL Copa América title and 2022 CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions, and further cemented his legacy by leading his country to a historic 2022 FIFA World Cup title.

In addition to the titles and personal accolades, Messi also holds several records across several different competitions. Famously, he holds the record for most goals scored in a calendar year, netting an astounding 91 times in 2012. He also holds the records for the most goals in Europe’s top five leagues (496), most La Liga goals (474), most La Liga goals in a single season (50), most UEFA Champions League group stage goals (80), most UEFA Champions League round of 16 goals (29), and most successive seasons scoring in UEFA Champions League (18). For Argentina, Messi holds the records for most caps (175), most goals (103), and most World Cup goals (13), while also holding the international record for most World Cup match appearances (26) and being the only player to score in the World Cup group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final.

Messi played the majority of his club career with FC Barcelona, coming through the youth ranks and going on to feature for the senior team across 17 seasons. The legendary playmaker made 780 appearances for the team, scoring 672 goals and registering 291 assists in the process. His appearance and goal tally both rank first among all players in the history of the club.

Following his history-making stint with Barcelona, Messi featured for Paris Saint-Germain in France for two seasons. He made 75 appearances for the team across all competitions, tallying 32 goals and 35 assists. Most recently, he starred for the team last season, being voted Ligue 1 Best Foreign Player of the Season after scoring 16 league goals and adding 16 league assists; these totals were good for second on the team in goals, second in total goal contributions and first in assists.

Born in Rosario, Argentina, Messi has made history for his national team. In addition to captaining La Albiceleste to the team’s historic 2021 CONMEBOL Copa América and 2022 FIFA World Cup titles, he led the team for nearly two decades, shattering records in the process. Overall, he has made 175 appearances for the team thus far, registering 103 goals and 56 assists.

Messi was previously managed by Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino during two separate stints – with FC Barcelona in the 2013-14 campaign, winning the 2013 Supercopa de España, and between 2014 and 2016 with the Argentine national team.