Lionel Messi's Inter Miami announcement could now be on FRIDAY
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami announcement could now be on FRIDAY – but everything IS going to plan as he finalizes paperwork ahead of blockbuster MLS switch
Lionel Messi is expecting to sign his Inter Miami contract in the next 24 hours.
The Argentina World Cup winner is in Miami and finalizing paperwork ahead of a move which has galvanized interest in soccer across the United States.
He was expected to sign his contract and be announced officially as a Miami player on Thursday – but the announcement now could come on Friday. Everything is going to plan, despite confirmation potentially coming later than anticipated.
Messi is in Miami and, according to ESPN, met his new teammates on Thursday.
David Beckham, the Miami co-owner, was filmed earlier on Thursday speaking to ESPN Argentina but said, with a smile, that he didn’t have an update to offer.
Messi, his wife Antonela and their three children went out for dinner at Miami’s Cafe Prima Pasta in Miami Beach on Wednesday night. And if he is expecting the quiet life in the US, he would have been in for a shock.
Messi, 36, attempted to leave Italian restaurant Cafe Prima Pasta in Miami Beach through the back door with his family, wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three sons, Mateo, Thiago and Ciro, while his dad Jorge also appeared to be with them.
But even with his sneaky exit and the attempts of the owner Gerardo Cea to move the crowd back, 36-year-old Messi was instantly swarmed by fans asking for photos and autographs.
One fan in an Argentina jersey stopped the soccer icon for a selfie in the street and, as he held the camera up for a snap, he snatched his chance to bizarrely kiss Messi on the cheek.
‘Leo, I love you man. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for so much,’ the supporter said to Messi in Spanish.
Messi seemed largely unfazed by the moment and moved away to catch up with his wife Antonela and their children.
Antonela, 35, was also swarmed by reporters as she led Thiago, 10, Mateo, 7, and Ciro, 5, away from the crowd.
Miami have scheduled an unveiling with Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets on Sunday night at the team’s DRV PNK Stadium (pronounced ‘Drive Pink’).
Jordi Alba, another ex-Barca teammate of Messi’s, is also expected to join Miami.
The team is in desperate need of star quality – it is currently last in the MLS Eastern Conference and faces a difficult game against Western Conference leader St Louis.
Miami is also eight points away from the post-season playoffs as it stands.
Messi’s debut is then expected to come on July 21 against Cruz Azul in the newly formed Leagues Cup.
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