Lionel Messi is all smiles as he steps out onto the training field with Inter Miami for the first time… ahead of his expected debut on Friday night.
Lionel Messi has stepped out onto the training field for the first time as an Inter Miami player, joining his teammates early on Tuesday morning.
The Argentina superstar was officially unveiled in a huge ceremony on Sunday night and the hard work starts now ahead of his expected debut on Friday.
Messi was pictured alongside fellow new signing and Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets, as well as the rest of the squad at the team’s Fort Lauderdale base.
Messi seemed in high spirits, chatting and laughing with Josef Martinez as the players were put through a light jog at the start of the session.
Inter Miami have endured a dreadful season so far and will desperately hope that the injection of Messi and Busquets to the team can revive their fortunes.
Lionel Messi smiles during his first training session with Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale
The Argentina superstar takes part in a passing drill at Florida Blue Training Center
Messi chats with new teammate and Inter Miami forward Josef Martinez during the session
Messi gives a thumbs up during his first session as an Inter Miami player on Tuesday morning
Fans are eagerly awaiting the world’s best player taking to the field against Cruz Azul on Friday
Off-the-field, Messi jersey sales are already through the roof and Inter Miami are expected to sell out the remainder of their matches with ease this season.
Messi’s first appearance in the pink of his new team is anticipated to come on Friday night in Major League Soccer’s new Leagues Cup competition.
Tata Martino’s side face Cruz Azul at their DRV PNK Stadium, with one ticket listed for a remarkable $110,000 as fans clamor for their chance to see the GOAT in action.
All eyes have been on the World Cup winner since he touched down stateside, even taking a trip to PUBLIX with his family to stock up on their groceries.
Speaking after Messi’s unveiling, the player’s wife Antonela thanked Inter Miami for their stunning welcome as she took to Instagram.
‘How beautiful the love with which they received you, Leo Messi! Always by your side!’
She then tagged Inter Miami in the post with three flexing bicep emojis and also shared a heartwarming video of their three sons, Mateo, Ciro and Thiago, in Miami jerseys chanting the team name.
Roccuzzo was personally greeted by Miami co-owner David Beckham during the ceremony on Sunday and he gave a speech referencing Messi’s family during the unveiling.
Miami’s DRV PNK stadium was packed with 20,000 fans ready to welcome Messi to their team and a torrential downpour of rain that delayed the unveiling did not dampen the excitement.
