Lionel Messi, a star from Argentina, arrived in Florida on Tuesday to complete his transfer to Inter Miami of the US Major League Soccer.
Messi and family members were seen in Argentine television footage exiting a private jet at a small, business airport close to Inter Miami’s stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Before being introduced to the crowd at a stadium event on Sunday, the World Cup winner is anticipated to sign a two and a half year contract, which is said to be worth $60 million annually.
“We are happy with the decision we made. Prepared and eager to face the new challenge, the new change,” Messi said in an interview with Argentine TV show, Llave a la eternidad, released on Tuesday.
“My mentality and my head are not going to change and I am going to try, wherever I have to be, to give my best for myself and my new club and continue to perform at the highest level,” he added.
The finest player to play in the United States since Brazilian legend Pele played with the New York Cosmos in 1975, Messi is the biggest star to ever join MLS.
The Major League Soccer (MLS) hopes that Messi would significantly raise the league’s visibility and increase subscribers to their streaming broadcast agreement with Apple TV. Prices for games where Messi will likely play have already skyrocketed.
Early in the morning, supporters started congregating at the club’s DRV PNK stadium in anticipation of his expected arrival.
‘Messias 305’ is a fan group that was started by one of the admirers, 42-year-old Julio Iglesias, after learning the Argentine celebrity was visiting Miami. He admitted that he had never watched an MLS game before but that he will now attend all Miami games.
“For us, Messi coming means everything, wherever he goes there is always incredible happiness,” he said, while standing by a banner declaring ‘We are waiting for you Messias”.
