Messi Officially Welcomed To MLS Inter Miami With Special Event, Publix Shopping

By Barry Janoff

UPDATED July 21, 2023: Leo Messi's game-winning kick.

UPDATED July 17, 2023: During his official public welcome to MLS Inter Miami CF on July 16, Lionel Messi stood before an overflowing crowd of 18,000-plus and next to team co-owners David Beckham and Jorge Mas in Autonation DRV PNK Stadium and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play in the city.

“The truth is I’m very moved to be here in Miami to be with you,” he said in Spanish to the crowd in a ceremony that was delayed two hours due to heavy rain and lightning, which continued throughout, but did not damper, the event.

“I want to thank all of you on behalf of my family for the kindness and the love you have given me. This has happened so fast. For us, it was spectacular to arrive here. I’m anxious to start to train and compete. I’ve always had the belief that I want to win and I want to be a champion.

“During all the time I was here and following the (MLS) season, my objective is to be here and have victories.

“I am very happy to have com here and to have brought my family and to feel the welcome you have given them. I’m sure that we will have many wonderful experiences.

Messi’s international teammate Sergio Busquets and new Miami teammate was also part of La PresentaSíon by Royal Caribbean.

It all  played out to "The World Is Yours to Take" by Tears for Fears featuring Lil Baby (an updated Latino version of their classic “Everybody Wants To Rule the World”).

Via a video shown in the stadium, he was welcomed to Miami by celebrities and athletes including Stephen Curry, Tom Brady, Gloria and Emilio Estefan and DJ Khaled.

Messi’s first game for Inter Miami is scheduled for July 21 vs. Cruz Azul in DRV PNK Stadium as part of the month-long MLS-Liga MX Leagues Cup.

His first official MLS game is scheduled for Aug. 20 against Charlotte FC in DRV PNK Stadium.

July 15, 2023: Soccer icons David Beckham and Lionel Messi will be on the same pitch July 16 in Ft. Lauderdale’s AutoNation DRV PNK Stadium when Messi is officially presented as the newest member of MLS Inter Miami CF (6 PM ET).

The club confirmed Messi’s signing today with a video, “Si, Muchchacos,” showing a hooded figure in DRV Pnk Stadium painting graffiti on a large board. The figure paints the word “Messi,”, then reveals himself to be Messi himself.

“Si, muchachos, Estoy jugando en Miami.”

A second video, “Welcome To Miami,” features upbeat Latino music as voiceover sings in Spanish about his journey to Miami.

“He was born in Argentina, and now you can see him from Rosario (an upscale Miami bar where Latino parties are held) to Miami . . . People — dreams have come true. Welcome Leo Messi to your new home. Your family is in the stands.”

“I am honored to welcome Leo Messi and his family to their new home,” Jorge Mas, Inter Miami CF managing owner, said via the club.

“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 fútbol in the United States and ensure that wherever fútbol 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.”

Messi’s first game for Inter Miami is scheduled for July 21 vs. Cruz Azul in DRV PNK Stadium.

Mas said in an interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais that Messi would earn "between $50 million and $60 million per year” for two and a half years and that he “spent three years” to sign him.

Messi’s deal with Miami could also include ownership stake and a piece of the revenue from the MLS-Apple TV ten-year deal, according to industry analysts.

The club has also scheduled a media conference for July 17.

This past year, Messi earned $130 million total, with $65 million from off-field deals, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo ($136 million total earnings/$90 million off-field, according to Forbes.

Among Messi’s lead partners is adidas, which has been a MLS partner since the league’s inception in 1998.

Messi also has deals that include PepsiCo brands Pepsi, Gatorade and Lay’s; Anheuser-Busch, MasterCard and South Florida-based Hard Rock International.

Season ticket holders were given first option for free tickets to “The Unveil/ La PresentaSíon,” but a number of tickets were made available to the general public.

The club, where Beckham is president of co-owner, said there would be “an exciting night of entertainment, on-the-pitch speeches.”

Beckham made similar global headlines when he joined MLS Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

“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,” Beckham said via the club.

“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.”

According to Beckham, “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.”

Regarding the DRV PNK Stadium welcoming, the club said, “We understand that weather conditions can be unpredictable, but we want to assure you that we are fully prepared to make this event a success.

“We encourage you to come prepared for any weather conditions, such wearing appropriate attire, to enhance your comfort. We believe that nothing should dampen the spirit of this exciting event, and we look forward to seeing you there, rain or shine!”

According to the league, MLS Season Pass will have a variety of cameras capturing the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and FIFA World Cup champion's first moments as an Inter Miami player, including Skycam to provide unique angles of Messi’s unveiling.

In addition to the player presentation, MLS Season Pass will offer live coverage in English and Spanish from Messi's training session with the team on July 18, scheduled to start at 8:45 AM ET.

"I'm very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States," said Messi via the club.

"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."

DRV PNK Stadium holds about 18,000, but the team is currently in the process of adding new bleacher seats to accommodate several thousand more people.

AutoNation said the name of the stadium was “selected in support of AutoNation's Drive Pink initiative, which raises and donates funds to support cancer research and treatment.”

Messi, who owns a residence in Miami, is apparently already feeling comfortable. He was sighted shopping at a local Publix supermarket with his family, not a coincidence as Publix is one of Inter Miami’s a corporate sponsors.

He also had a meal in Caffe Prima Pasta in Miami Beach, where he has eaten several times before and his photos adorn the walls, according to WPLG Local 10.

Miami-based crypto-currently firm XBTO might benefit most from Messi’s arrival as it’s deal with the team includes prominent jersey-front sponsorship.

At DRV PNK Stadium, XBTO has a 10,000 square foot hospitality space that includes an air-conditioned enclosed first level, an outdoor terrace on the second level, and a third level open-air lounge.

Team partners also include adidas, BodyArmor, Captain Morgan, Coca-Cola, Heineken and Procter & Gamble.

In time for his arrival with MLS Inter Miami, Hard Rock International teamed with global brand ambassador Messi to launch a Messi Chicken Sandwich, "Made For You by Leo Messi,” available at locations including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Fla.

"Leo Messi is not just one of the greatest athletes and cultural icons on the planet, he's also an ambassador who aligns very closely with our values as an organization," Jim Allen, Hard Rock International chairman, said via the company

"We are extremely honored to partner with someone who embodies the champion and winning spirit in all facets of his professional and personal life, and we look forward to welcoming him to the U.S. as part of our extended Hard Rock family."

Inter Miami is last in its MLS division and earlier this season fired its head coach, Phil Neville. He was replaced by Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who is familiar to Messi via coaching stints with FC Barcelona and Argnetina.

Inter Miami has also signed former Messi international teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Photos: Inter Miami CF

Messi Shares Plans To Join MLS Inter Miami CF

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