13 July 2023 , 16:54
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Departed Barcelona hero Sergio Busquets could be unveiled as an Inter Miami player alongside his former teammate Lionel Messi in a dedicated welcoming ceremony.
The pair were key components in the all-conquering Blaugrana teams of recent years and will be reunited in South Beach by the ambitious MLS outfit. Argentine icon Messi departed Paris Saint-Germain following two seasons after his contract expired at the end of June, while midfield maestro Busquets left Camp Nou at the conclusion of last term after 15 years with the senior team.
The duo struck up a close friendship during their many years sharing a dressing room in Catalonia and will also be joined at the Vice City club by their former boss Tata Martino. The 60-year-old managed Barcelona in the 2013-14 season and takes over as permanent head coach from Phil Neville, who was dismissed at the beginning of June.
Both players have not yet been officially unveiled by the Herons but Messi jetted into Fort Lauderdale on June 11 ahead of a slated spectacular event which will herald his landmark signing. Dubbed "The Unveil", the long-awaited ceremony will take place at Miami's DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday (July 16) and will see the legendary forward paraded in front of the franchise's supporters, with the Herald reporting that Busquets will also receive a welcome from those gathered.
Alongside the presentation, it is also thought that entertainment will be provided, with pop superstar Shakira and rapper Bad Bunny having been mooted as potential guests. After a swell of interest in the arrival of the two former LaLiga stars, bleachers have been installed at DRV PNK Stadium, with the capacity of the temporary arena now increased by some 3,000 seats.
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As anticipation builds ahead of the official unveiling of the club's new signings, crowds gathered at Inter Miami’s Fort Lauderdale training facility, with those present having endeavoured to catch a glimpse of the incoming stars. Although Messi did not meet any of the media personnel, it is thought that he was present at some point during the day.
According to the report in the Herald, the World Cup winner was there to finalise some paperwork as well as undergoing the physical standard examinations required of all Inter Miami players. It is thought that the 36-year-old met some of his new teammates, with the franchise's co-owner David Beckham also having been in attendance.
Inter Miami's co-owner has predicted that Lionel Messi can have a similar legacy to David Beckham in terms of his impact in the US (Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images) (Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)Beckham's partner in the venture Jorge Mas has been outspoken about the plans for the diminutive winger to make a significant impact after signing with his new club. The billionaire businessman has predicted that the transfer will eventually go on to be seen as one of the true landmark moments in the history of the sport stateside.
He previously told El Pais : "There are two big milestones [in US soccer]: Pelé's signing by the New York Cosmos [in 1975] and David Beckham by Los Angeles [Galaxy] in 2007. Messi will take the league to another level. I believe he has a desire to make a mark, and he will be able to continue doing this after his playing days are over. When he retires, he will have a role in the club.
"I envision a life after soccer for Messi very similar to David or Michael Jordan’s lives. He will be able to work in a market that keeps on growing. He will have opportunities here that don’t exist in other places."