WATCH: Lionel Messi gets presented as Inter Miami player in front of crowd

Following the footsteps of Dwyane Wade, Dan Marino and LeBron, Argentina football star Lionel Messi was unveiled as Miami’s latest sporting superstar on Sunday. In the last phase of his career, Messi is unlikely to match the achievements of those three stars mentioned above during his time in Florida, but he comfortably equals them in pedigree.

His first appearance as the Miami player was telecasted Live and took place in front of thousands of cheering fans at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium. Before Messi took the stage, there was a slight delay as one of Florida’s familiar summer storms pounded the area. The Argentinian got roars of appreciation from the fans and there was a firework display in the sky above the stadium.

“I’m very moved to be here in Miami. I want to thank you for the kindness and love that you have given me. This has happened so fast … I’m anxious to train and compete. Our objective is to be here and win. I’m sure we’re going to have a wonderful experience,” Messi said to the crowd in Spanish.

Watch the video here:

"Vamos a disfrutar mucho, la vamos a pasar bien y van a pasar cosas lindas." – Leo Messi pic.twitter.com/zEhzbnugXG

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 17, 2023

Messi has tied with the club in a contract until the end of 2025. The Club will pay him between $50m and $60m a year. The deal also includes a signing bonus and a stake in the team. The 36-year-old is likely to make his Miami debut on Friday against Mexico’s Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

The 2022 Fifa World Cup winner had a successful outing with Barcelona and won a haul of Champions League and domestic titles, he joined Paris St-Germain where his struggles were compared to his best years in La Liga. He has scored 715 goals in 885 club games and won the Ballon d’Or for a record seven times.

‘This is a special and exciting opportunity…’ – said Messi’s former teammate on begin signed by Inter Miami

Earlier, the Club announced that they have signed Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Sergio Busquets on Sunday. The 35-year-old captained Barça during a golden era for the club, during which he won La Liga nine times and captured three Champions League titles. He also lifted the 2010 World Cup with Spain, for which he won 143 caps.

“This is a special and exciting opportunity that I’m very excited to take. I’m looking forward to this next step in my career with Inter Miami. I was impressed by the club when I came with Barcelona last year and now I’m happy and ready to represent the club myself. I can’t wait to help bring the success that this ambitious club strives for,” said Busquets.