Lionel Messi Mania Set To Hit Miami Ahead Of World Cup Winner's Arrival

The seven-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, the football world's most prestigious individual award, is coming off two years with Paris Saint-Germain and is expected to make his Inter Miami debut against Mexican team Cruz Azul on July 21.

In a career spanning more than 17 years with his country's national team, Messi has scored more than 100 goals, including two against France at the 2022 World Cup, a match Argentina won on penalties.

“I love that he's in Miami because my children will be able to experience him like I experienced (fellow Argentina soccer star Diego) Maradona,” said Maximiliano Alvarez, one of the owners of the Fiorito restaurant, where a wall has a giant mural of Messi. “It also makes me sad, nostalgic, because it looks like it is the beginning of his retirement."

“Coming to this league is not the same as playing in the European league,” said the Argentine businessman.

It would be an 'all-Barcelona' reunion for the Argentine as Inter Miami have also snapped up Sergio Busquets, with the duo likely to be presented to the public on Sunday. Moreover, Inter Miami CF will be coachded by Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, who has managed Messi at club and at international level.