It’s a home match, and one that will take place in a time when the Argentine will have been used to playing in pre-season while in Europe anyway. Lionel Messi of Inter Miami was unveiled to the world on Sunday night in a celebration at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Of course, given Messi’s strenuous season in France, there is every chance that he won’t be seen in MLS until Inter Miami take on Charlotte FC on August 20th.

August 20 – Charlotte FC – Likely Messi debut? Messi’s new club could have more fixtures in the tournament if they make it through this first stage, increasing the number of matches that he could play in during the early stages at his new side. Inter Miami continue their matches in this new competition – that sees MLS clubs come up against Liga MX clubs – with another home meeting, this time against Atlanta United on July 25th. There is perhaps no better way to market such a tournament than introducing the best player in world football, with Messi potentially lining out for his new club for the very first time when they take on Cruz Azul on July 21st at their own DRV PNK Stadium. July 21 – Cruz AzulĪgain, there is a chance that the Barcelona legend could make his Inter Miami debut outside of the league, with MLS rolling out a new tournament called Leagues Cup.

The match against Premier League giants Arsenal at DC United’s Audi Field is the league’s annual showpiece fixture, and could represent a stunning unveiling of new MLS icon Messi. Inter Miami won’t like it too much, but Messi’s first match in America might not even be for his own team, with his USA debut potentially coming in the MLS All-Star Game on July 19th. United is away from home, meaning it is very unlikely that his new club will want to unveil him to a small section of away fans rather than a delirious home support in Miami. United three days later.īut Messi will definitely be in need of a much-deserved break after playing all season for PSG, a campaign that was also interrupted by the 2022 World Cup, where of course Messi went all the way with Argentina. He finishes 2012 with 91 goals for Barcelona and Argentina. 1.5 August 20 – Charlotte FC – Likely Messi debut?Įven though Messi will officially become an Inter Miami player on July 5th, he will perhaps be in and around the club before then, meaning he could potentially be in shape to take on D.C. 9, 2012 Messi surpasses Gerd Mueller’s 1972 record of 85 goals for club and country in a single year.Tanzi reported on Wednesday that this offer was increased to a barely believable €1bn per year.īut Messi is now on his way to Inter Miami, as Romano has confirmed. Messi has won six La Liga titles at Barcelona since making his debut. BBC Sport looks back at his goal-den decade. The best financial offer was from Saudi Arabia, as it was reported that Al-Hilal offered Messi a contract in the region of €400-600 million a year. Ten years ago, Lionel Messi scored the first of his 403 goals for Barcelona. A lot of things have to happen,' Jorge Messi was quoted as saying. Indeed, the Athletic reveals that Messi’s debut for Inter Miami has been pencilled in for July 21 in a match against Mexican team Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium. This was always unlikely to happen as Jorge Messi admitted on Tuesday. His father and agent Jorge Messi met with Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Monday to discuss a potential return, though no offer was made.įor the transfer to go through, La Liga needed to approve Barcelona’s so-called ‘Viability Plan’ but the Blaugrana then had to execute it by raising cash through the sale of some big players such as Ansu Fati and Raphinha. 16, 2003: At the age of 16, Messi makes his first-team debut in a friendly against Porto. In Argentina, or Paris, or Barcelona, they’d have been mobbed, or maybe would never be here to begin with. 2001: Messi and his family relocate to Barcelona so he can join La Masia academy. © ProShots - Messi was wanted by three main clubsĪ return to Barcelona is believed to have been Messi’s preference but for financial reasons a deal was not possible. Lionel Messi’s debut in an Inter Miami jersey is an unqualified success.

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