Lionel Messi has been introduced to Inter Miami’s fans during a special event hosted at the MLS club’s DRV Pink Stadium.
During the ceremony, which was dubbed The Unveil and broadcast live, the 36-year-old Argentina superstar greeted Inter Miami owner David Beckham with a hug before receiving his pink No 10 jersey.
Messi told the crowd: “I want to thank all the people of Miami for their welcome and love since I arrived in this city.
“The truth is that I’m very excited and very happy to be here in Miami and to be with you.
Bienvenido a nuestra familia
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF)
“I can’t wait to start training and competing. I’m here with the desire I’ve always had to compete, to want to win, and to help the club continue to grow.”
The stadium was practically full, despite the event being delayed by poor weather.
Beckham said during the broadcast that it made for a “typical Miami welcome for one of the greatest players to ever have played the game”.
He added: “The fact that we have our fans in here, celebrating this moment… this is what we have created and we’re very proud of that.”
Joining Messi onstage was former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, whose arrival at Inter Miami was officially announced earlier on Sunday.
Busquets, 35, who had spent his entire playing career at the Nou Camp, left Barca at the end of the season and will be reunited with former team-mate Messi, whose own move to Miami was confirmed 24 hours earlier.
Doble celebración, Feliz Cumple Sergio
