By Luis F. Sánchez
A night of total madness and emotions. A fan wearing the No. 10 jersey summed up the event in simple words: “He is the greatest player of all time”. The presentation of Lionel Messi by his new club, Inter Miami, on Sunday night at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, was a special event. Or rather magical.
Despite the lightning, thunder and rain that drenched everyone there, the show started at 8:30, as scheduled. The event was broadcast around the world and stayed right on schedule. A full stadium, the stadium lights were off and the glow of the cell phone lights and the fireworks provided all the illumination.
“I am very excited and happy to be here, they have made everything easy for us,” exclaimed the Argentine in front of more than 22,000 fans. “I really want to start training, to compete. I want to win and help the club continue to grow. I am happy to have chosen to come here [toMiami], to have chosen this project. I have no doubt that we’re going to have a lot of fun, we’re going to have a good time and there will be nice things to do”.
Only Messi is capable of creating magic without playing. There was no match, but people did not want to miss the presentation of the player who left aside the millions offered by SaudiArabia to play in the MLS and give the MLS a flight like it has never had before.
“Only Pele can be compared to the arrival of Messi,” said Tom Mulroy who faced the king ofSoccer at the defunct NASL and now, has the opportunity to see Messi. “Pele made soccer known in the United States, Messi comes full circle and is allowing the MLS to be a global league from now on.”
More than 150 journalists applied for credentials to be present at this event. The heavyweights of world journalism were in the press box: The New York Times, BBC London, El País, La Vanguardia, Clarín, The Sun, CBS, The Athletic, L’Equipe, Bloomber News, among others, and all the international news agencies. Most of them have not been present at games, even with the presence of David Beckham and the well-heeled bank-rolling from brothers Jorge and Jose Mas, during the team’s four-year MLS run. Sunday night however, was different. There was Lionel Messi. The entire stadium chanted the Argentine’s name.
Since June 7th when Messi informed the special envoys of the Barcelona newspapers Sport and Mundo Deportivo in Paris that he had chosen Inter Miami as his next destination, everything changed.
Last Tuesday, Messi, his wife and their three children landed at the Fort Lauderdale airport, a few meters from the stadium where his new club plays.
The next day, the Hard Rock International hotel chain – of which Messi is an ambassador – launched a sandwich with his name with a dramatic video unveiling.
On Thursday, the soccer demigod appeared to have his feet on the ground by going shopping at a supermarket with his wife Antonela and his sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. On Saturday he signed a mammoth contract estimated at $54 million a year until December 2025. And Sunday was the big party.
The managers of this earthquake took to the stage: David Beckham and Jorge Mas, the club’s owners.
“Thank you all for being here on this very special night,” Beckham began in Spanish and then continued in English. “Ten years ago, I started with this dream and with the promise of bringing the best players in the world, who will leave a legacy for the youngsters. Today, I am happy that the fans are here to celebrate this moment when the best in the world joins our family. Welcome Leo Messi to Inter Miami. We are proud that you have chosen us. Antonela, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, welcome to the family. And also Sergio Busquets, one of the most complete players of his generation, who will join Leo. Together we will create unforgettable memories“.
Busquets was then introduced: “Happy to be with you and eager to start training,” he said in English.
Jorge Mas said that this is a night of giving and celebration for the city where he was born and that opened its doors to a family that wanted to live in freedom.
“The rain that falls is holy water,” Mas exclaimed. “This is our chance to change soccer in theUnited States.”
Now comes the hard part of getting Inter Miami to finally win games. They are on a 0-11losing streak, and last place in the league with only 18 points in the standings over 22 games. Their fans have to pray and trust that the new Messi era will turn things around.
On this night, to further cheer up the crowd, they sang the song Camilo, with a theme dedicated to Messi.
La entrada Messi: Lightning, rain and holy water on welcome with Inter Miami se publicó primero en UNANIMO Deportes.
