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It appears that a date for Lionel Messi’s presentation as an Inter Miami player has been given.
According to the Miami Herald’s Michelle Kaufman, David Beckham’s Major League Soccer side have begun the “media credentialing process for [a] ‘major unveiling event that will include exciting entertainment, speeches on the pitch and more'” to be held on July 16.
The Argentine brought his drawn-out transfer saga to an end when he announced his intention to join the Fort Lauderdale-based club last month. Rumours about a potential return to Barcelona or a big-money move to Saudi giants Al-Hilal had to be put to bed.
Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has revealed that it took three years of negotiations to land Messi. Indeed, ever since the creation of the franchise in 2018, the expectation was that they would eventually bring the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to MLS.
No contract has officially been signed, but given that many details of the deal on offer have already been revealed and that Miami have the necessary roster manoeuvrability to add Messi, it is only a formality at this point.
The MLS transfer window opened on July 5, but Miami fans will yet need to show a bit of patience before they can finally watch the World Cup winner in action.
Bienvenido Messi! Inter Miami just announced media credentialing process for “major unveiling event that will include exciting entertainment, speeches on the pitch and more” July 16, 8 pm. @HeraldSports @InterMiamiCF @MiamiHerald #InterMiamiCF #MLS #Messi𓃵
— Michelle Kaufman (@kaufsports) July 7, 2023
Miami’s major event
Miami’s major event is expected to take place at their home stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The Herons face league newcomers St. Louis City the day prior in Missouri.
It is believed that Sergio Busquets and perhaps even Jordi Alba will also be presented at the event. Busquets has already been announced as a Miami player, though he, too, is yet to officially get added to the roster. The most recent update on Alba was that the club were in ‘advanced negotiations’ with the player.
Messi could be in action for the first time on July 21 or July 25 when Miami face Liga MX side Cruz Azul and fellow MLS outfit Atlanta United, respectively, in Leagues Cup.
