Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated presentation as an Inter Miami player took place on Sunday night, and it was as exciting for the local fans as it was improvised by event organizers following a torrential downpour that included a barrage of lightning.
Mother Nature threatened to spoil the festivities at Drv Pnk Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, just as the celebratory show was about to get underway. A thunderous storm with swirling sheets of rain pummeled the area just as supporters were about to be let in through the gates, causing some panic, frustration, and a weather delay that lasted approximately two-and-a-half hours.
The skies eventually cleared enough for the Super Bowl-like show that had 500 credentialed media members to go on, although the thumping concert that was originally scheduled to take place before Messi’s presentation was moved to after and without headlining reggaeton artist Ozuna.
Rainfall continued throughout, and it caused David Beckham to slip and almost suffer an embarrassing fall during the Inter Miami ownership group’s walkout on the wet runway that led up to an illuminated center stage that was hardly used. After composing himself, Beckham helped further fire up the celebratory crowd with a stirring message that started in Spanish.
“We are so happy that you are all here to celebrate this incredible moment, a moment that is watched around the world as a truly great player and amazing person joins our family,” Beckham said once he started speaking English. “So, please forgive me. I am feeling a little bit emotional tonight. “It really is a dream come true to welcome Lionel Messi to Inter Miami. Leo, we are so proud that you have chosen our club for this next stage in your career.”
Amid roars from the audience, plenty of applause, and flashing lights more suited for a night club, Messi walked out shortly thereafter.
He delivered a few of his own thankful words and then posed for the shot that much of the world has been waiting for: him holding up an Inter Miami kit. Messi’s No 10 top was a hot item for Inter Miami supporters in attendance, as they got their first official opportunity to purchase the kit for prices that were as high as £153.
There were other novelties inside the Argentine’s new home ground, including two propped up stands in the northeast and southeast corners that have been rapidly constructed to help fill the increased demand for Inter Miami tickets.
A tighter security detail was also evident inside the venue, especially when Messi and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets arrived with their families following the end of the weather delay and just ahead of their joint presentation. Busquets stunned the crowd by speaking English as he was introduced.
“Hello, everyone,” Busquets said. “Thank you for coming. I am very happy to be here in Miami. For me, it is a pleasure to be a part of Inter Miami.” Other famous celebrities benefited from the tightened restrictions, including former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Latin singer Marc Anthony.
The entire event embraced its star-studded nature, with a video compilation of welcoming messages for Messi on the big screens serving as possibly the most notable example.
Among the luminaries in the reel were former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, current NBA player Steph Curry, Latin vocalists J Balvin and Maluma, and more. Eventually, the musical artists inside the venue performed amidst a dispersing crowd. Messi came back out on the pitch for a bit during the performances, watching on as his kids kicked a ball in front of the same crowd that will soon be expecting him to score goals regularly.
Sunday’s show was the culmination of a lot of hard work from Inter Miami to lure the World Cup winner to the South Florida shores, but Messi Mania in Miami is just beginning.
A press conference scheduled for Monday was postponed prior to Sunday’s show, but a Tuesday training session that will be partially open to the media is still on the cards.
There were also whispers on Sunday of another unannounced big event taking place later in the upcoming week, which should end with Messi’s anticipated MLS and Inter Miami debut on Friday vs. Mexican club Cruz Azul in the first-ever Leagues Cup competition.
How many minutes he plays in that game after only just returning from his holidays in the Bahamas is unclear, but not even that was enough to rain on Inter Miami fans’ festive celebration on a night in which they surreally welcomed one of the game’s greatest players to their team.
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