Lionel Messi has settled the final details of his contract with Major League Soccer (MLS) and, after years of planning and research, Inter Miami CF have acquired the services of a global icon.
Messi’s contract was made official on Saturday, just over five weeks after he said he would join Inter Miami CF.
The team will present him on Sunday evening at their stadium in Fort Lauderdale, and the first home game of the Messi era could take place as early as Friday, in a League Cup duel against Cruz Azul.
An official press conference is scheduled for Monday, and the first training session with his new club is expected on Tuesday.
The club has already announced that Messi’s contract will run for two and a half seasons and that he will be paid between $50-60m a year, worth a total of $125-150m in cash alone.
“BIENVENIDO 10,” the team posted on Twitter on Saturday.
Welcome, Messi, indeed.
“We are delighted that the greatest player in the world has chosen Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer, and his decision is a testament to the momentum and energy that drives our League and our sport in North America,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a statement.
“We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a league of choice for the best players in the world. »