Lionel Messi MLS: When will Argentine star be unveiled as an Inter Miami player? When will he make his debut?
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Published 11/07/2023 at 16:49 GMT
It was announced in June that seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi would make a stunning move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. So, when will the Argentine star be officially unveiled? When could he make his debut for Inter Miami and what shirt number will he wear? Will Messi captain the South Florida club? Messi will join from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
Miami not a holiday for Messi and Busquets, says Martino
Lionel Messi is set to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
The stunning transfer was announced on June 7 by the South Florida club. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and reportedly turned down a move to Saudi Arabia.
Messi scored 32 goals in 75 games during his two seasons with PSG, finishing last campaign with 16 goals and 16 assists in Ligue 1. He is Barcelona's all-time leading scorer with 672 goals.
WHEN WILL LIONEL MESSI BE PRESENTED AS AN INTER MIAMI PLAYER?
The 36-year-old could be finally unveiled as an Inter Miami player at half-time of the Gold Cup final on Sunday, July 16.
MLS are in discussions with CONCACAF, Fox and Univision to air a portion of the presentation, reports The Athletic.
Inter Miami have announced an event ‘The Unveil’ will take place on Sunday at 8pm ET (1am BST on Monday) at DRV Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida – the same time the Gold Cup final is scheduled to kick-off.
The article continues: “Messi is expected to arrive in the United States on Tuesday before an official announcement from the club this week, one source confirmed.”
WHEN WILL LIONEL MESSI MAKE HIS DEBUT FOR INTER MIAMI?
Messi is expected to make his Inter Miami debut on July 21 in a Leagues Cup match against Mexican team Cruz Azul.
The game will be played at DRV PNK Stadium, which is Inter Miami’s temporary home as they wait for a permanent stadium in Miami.
WHAT SHIRT NUMBER WILL LIONEL MESSI WEAR AT INTER MIAMI?
Over the years, Messi dazzled the world while wearing the No. 10 shirt for Barcelona and Argentina.
While he wore No. 30 at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi expected to take the No. 10 jersey for Inter Miami which has been unfilled this season.
HOW LONG IS LIONEL MESSI’S CONTRACT AT INTER MIAMI?
Messi is under contract in Florida until 2025 with the option to extend for another year.
WILL LIONEL MESSI CAPTAIN INTER MIAMI?
Possibly. Miami’s current captain Gregore has been sidelined for at least two months after suffering a foot injury at the start of the season.
While striker Leonardo Campana has taken the armband in his absence, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Messi was named the club’s new skipper.
WHO MANAGES INTER MIAMI?
Gerardo Martino replaced Phil Neville as Inter Miami’s new manager at the end of June.
He is a familiar face to Messi having managed Barcelona in the 2013/14 season but left the position after just one term having failed to win La Liga and losing in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Martino also managed Argentina between 2014 and 2016, losing the final of the 2015 Copa America to Chile on penalties.
He does also have great experience within MLS, having coached Atlanta United for their inaugural season in the league. He led the team to the 2018 MLS Cup title, their first piece of silverware.
WHO OWNS INTER MIAMI?
Former Manchester United and England star David Beckham co-owns the club with American brothers Jorge and Jose Mas.
WHERE ARE INTER MIAMI IN THE LEAGUE?
Messi will find himself in unfamiliar territory at Inter Miami as they are currently bottom of the Eastern Conference of the MLS with just five wins from 21 games. Having netted just 22 times, goals are clearly a problem…
WHO ELSE HAVE INTER MIAMI SIGNED?
Sergio Busquets will link up with former Barcelona team-mate Messi in the Sunshine State.
He joins as a free agent after his contract at Barcelona expired, while Jordi Alba has also been strongly linked with a move as has Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez.
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