Lionel Messi followed in the footsteps of Dwyane Wade, Dan Marino and LeBron James on Sunday as he was unveiled as Miami’s latest sporting superstar.
Messi is in the twilight of his career, and is unlikely to match the achievements of those three stars during his time in Florida, but he comfortably equals them in pedigree. His first official appearance as an Inter Miami player – he announced his decision to join the club in June – was televised live, and took place in front of thousands of cheering fans at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium. There was a slight delay as one of Florida’s familiar summer storms pounded the area before the Argentinian took to the stage to roars of appreciation from the packed stands and a firework display in the skies above the stadium.
“I’m very moved to be here in Miami,” Messi told the crowd in Spanish, a language spoken by around two-thirds of the local area’s population. “I want to thank you for the kindness and love that you have given me. This has happened so fast … I’m anxious to train and compete. Our objective is to be here and win. I’m sure we’re going to have a wonderful experience.”
