If US based MLS fans and football fans there more generally hadn’t heard of Lionel Messi before, they will certainly know who he is by the end of next weekend as Inter Miami!
WATCH: Next stop, Inter Miami! Lionel Messi & family touch down in Florida ahead of MLS debut
Lionel Messi has landed in South Florida as he prepares for life as an Inter Miami player.
Messi spotted landing in Miami
Set to make American debut this month
New club enduring dire season
WHAT HAPPENED? In a video obtained by TyC Sports, Messi was seen disembarking a plane at Fort Lauderdale airport on Tuesday. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner completed a move to Inter Miami recently and has been winding down on several holidays since. However, he has now arrived in his new home.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Messi is expected to make his debut in a Leagues Cup clash against Cruz Azul on July 21. Tickets for the game were being sold for just $29 prior to his arrival being announced, but prices have skyrocketed since.
WHAT NEXT? Messi has his work cut out turning his new team's fortunes around. The Herons are currently rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, having not won in MLS for 10 games. Fortunately, he is set to have former Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba for company.
According to The Athletic (subscription required), Inter have scheduled an extravaganza billed as ‘The Unveil’ from 8pm (US) on Sunday night, but that’s slap bang in the middle of when the Gold Cup is being broadcast.
As a result, MLS and CONCACAF are having to sit down with both Fox and Univision to try and make this epic event work somehow.
Given that David Beckham remains the highest profile player to grace MLS at this point, soon to be surpassed by Messi, there’s sure to be some leeway with the broadcasters as Beckham remains a hugely marketable asset and popular ex-sportsman.
It could be quite the night for American football fans.
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