When Lionel Messi will make his debut for Inter Miami?
If you are wondering when Lionel Messi will make his debut for Inter Miami, know that you won’t have to wait long enough. Messi is scheduled to make his debut for Inter Miami on July 21st. The team, belonging to Major League Soccer, will be hosting Cruz Azul from Mexico in their League’s Cup opener.
According to Jorge Mas, the managing owner, Messi has reached an agreement with Miami and they are currently in the process of finalizing paperwork and visas. This comes after the Argentine superstar’s recent announcement of his intention to join the club.
According to the Miami Herald, he is set to agree to a contract worth $50 million to $60 million per year for a duration of two and a half years, with the possibility of extending until 2026.
“Absolutely no changes in the roster rules. There are no categories or anything that is being changed to incorporate Lionel Messi onto Inter Miami’s roster,” Mas added.
The arrival of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to greatly benefit soccer in the United States, where it is not as popular as the other four major North American men’s professional leagues.
Mas described Messi’s arrival as a significant moment in the history of U.S. soccer, as the MLS aims to become one of the top leagues globally.
“I think there will always be a before and after Messi when we talk about the sport in the United States,” Mas said.
“I have very strong-held belief that we can create in North America and the United States if not the greatest league, one of the top two leagues in the world.”
“Lionel Messi is coming to this country to win cups and make a difference. I think it’s incumbent upon myself and my partners in the league, the other owners, to seize the moment.”
Within a few hours of the announcement that Messi would be joining Miami, the impact was already evident. Ticket prices skyrocketed by 1,034% and the team’s Instagram account gained seven million new followers, bringing the total to eight million.
Currently, Miami is at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, trailing by seven points from the ninth position, which is the last spot for playoff qualification. The Leagues Cup is a yearly tournament that involves clubs from both MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
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