After a month of suspense, Inter Miami CF introduced new signing Messi to a sold-out crowd on Sunday at DRV PNK Stadium. The Argentine soccer star signed a multi-year deal with the club on Saturday, becoming the most famous signing to come to the MLS since David Beckham joined LA Galaxy in 2007.

“I’m so glad I chose to come to this city with my family, chose this project and I have no doubt that we will love it,” Messi said after his introduction. “We’re going to have a good time and great things will happen. Thank you so much, thank you all for today.

“I can’t wait to start training to compete. I have the same desire to compete that I’ve always had, really want to win and help it [Miami] continue to grow.”

Beckham was the first star to join the MLS during the peak of his career after spending most of his time playing top football in Europe. Now a co-owner of Inter Miami, Beckham can’t help but address the seriousness of this moment that has been created over a decade.

“Ten years ago, I started my journey to build a new MLS team,” Beckham said. “I said at the time, I dream of bringing the best players in the world to South Florida and the wonderful city of Miami. Players who share the same ambition to develop football in this country… We are very excited. Glad you’re all here to celebrate this incredible moment.

“So please forgive me for being a bit emotional tonight. It is truly a dream come true to welcome Lionel Messi to Inter Miami… Bienvenido a La Familia .”

A two-hour weather delay brought the event to a halt, with heavy rain pelting the stadium and thunder illuminating the sky.

No one cares; No one will miss this. And fans were treated to a double when Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets was also introduced as an Inter Miami player after signing to join the club on Sunday.

Beckham was delighted to bring the midfielder to South Florida.

“One of the most complete midfielders of his generation,” he said. “I’m so proud that Sergio and his family have represented the club and our jersey and reunited his partnership with Leo Messi.”

Even as the hosts on the field, Melissa Ortiz and Tony Cherchi tried to move the show in the direction of “Messi! Messi!” The chants filled the stadium – loud enough that Ortiz had to ask for silence. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas acknowledged the weather just before the introduction of the club’s new No 10.

“We’re going to do this Miami in the rain tonight,” Mas said. “This is holy water!”

Messi stepped onto the stage and gave a brief address to the crowd before a tribute was played on a video board above the stadium. He was welcomed to the United States by a host of A-list athletes and celebrities, including Stephen Curry, Tom Brady, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and DJ Khaled.

 

Tears for Fears’ “The World Is Yours to Take” featuring Lil Baby was played through the stadium speakers. A sampled lyric from the featured original song.

“Everybody wants to rule the world.”

 

Sure, Inter Miami is penultimate in the MLS this season. People may want to rule the world, but tonight, Mas, Beckham, and over 20,000 fans feel like they really do.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.