Lionel Messi stepped onto the training ground for the first time as an Inter Miami player, joining his teammates early Tuesday morning.
The Argentinian superstar was officially launched in a huge ceremony on Sunday night and the hard work begins now ahead of his scheduled debut on Friday.
Messi is pictured alongside newly signed team-mate and Barcelona legend, Sergio Busquets, as well as the rest of the team at the team’s Fort Lauderdale base.
Messi seemed in high spirits, chatting and laughing with Josef Martinez as the players went for a light jog at the start of the training session.
Inter Miami has had a bad season so far and it will be hoped that bringing Messi and Busquets into the team can revive their fortunes.
Messi’s first appearance in the pink jersey of his new team is scheduled for Friday night during Major League Soccer’s new Leagues Cup competition.
Tata Martino’s team faced off against Cruz Azul at their DRV PNK Stadium, with a ticket listed for a staggering $110,000 as fans clamored for the chance to watch GOAT play.
All eyes have been on the World Cup champion since he set foot in the States, even taking his family to PUBLIX to buy groceries.
Speaking after Messi’s debut, the player’s wife Antonela thanked Inter Miami for their wonderful welcome as she posted on Instagram.
‘How beautiful is the love they have for you, Leo Messi! Always by your side!’
She then tagged Inter Miami in the post with three flexed bicep emojis and also shared a touching video of their three sons, Mateo, Ciro, and Thiago, in the kit. of Miami and chanted the team’s name. Roccuzzo was personally greeted by Miami’s co-owner David Beckham during Sunday’s ceremony and he delivered a speech referring to Messi’s family during the launch ceremony.
Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium was packed with 20,000 fans ready to welcome Messi to their team, and the torrential rain that delayed the launch didn’t dampen the excitement.
The 36-year-old Messi finally stepped out onto the pitch and spoke to the fans for the first time as a Miami player – with Antonella and their sons watching from the stands.
The Messi family owns a home in Miami and their love of the area is believed to have contributed to their choice to move to the US – although a more appealing offer came from Saudi Arabia.
Adidas and Apple TV are contributing to the $60 million a year Messi is expected to earn playing in the Major League.
Adidas will pay him part of the money from the Inter shirts it sells with his name on the back, while Apple will do the same with MLS subscriptions after Messi moves to the US.