One of the greatest soccer players of all time is about to call the Sunshine State home, and there will be plenty of chances for Floridians to see him in action. Lionel Messi, the Argentinian star considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, plans to sign with MLS football club Inter Miami, located in Miami, Florida.
The 35-year-old’s remarkable and record-breaking career has won the hearts of fans across the globe, as the undersized footballer has dazzled crowds with his skills and ability to make some of the world’s premier athletes look like amateurs. Messi became the darling of the 2022 FIFA World Cup as he led Argentina to its first title since the legendary Diego Maradona took them to the promised land.
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Seeing a player of his caliber in person has typically required a trip overseas and ticket prices in the multiple hundreds at minimum, so the fact he’s coming so close to Tampa is huge news for soccer fans in the region and even the entire country.
While it remains to be seen exactly when Messi will join the club, Inter Miami’s schedule runs through the end of October, so there should be ample time for a road trip or quick flight to see the World Cup Champion in action.
In fact, should Messi join soon enough, Miami play at Orlando City on September 24, just a short drive from the Tampa Bay area.
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There’s no parallel to this in the history of other major American sports, though perhaps the closest is one that locals ought to be familiar with. While not on the same level, Tom Brady signing with the Bucs was a similar situation, where a player largely considered the GOAT decided to spend the last few years of his career somewhere new, immediately making them a contender.
In the history of the MLS, Messi joins an esteemed list of international players who chose to display their skills in the States during their twilight years. Most notable were Pele and David Beckham, though the fanfare likely to be associated with Messi will go far beyond those, given the new age of digital and social media, as well as Messi’s fame coming immediately off his brilliant World Cup performance.
Stay tuned for more details on when we may get our first look at Lionel Messi in Florida.
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