Lionel Messi took to the pitch for the first time as an Inter Miami player on Tuesday morning, joining his colleagues.
The Argentina superstar was officially presented on Sunday night in a big ceremony, and the hard work now begins ahead of his likely debut on Friday.
Messi was photographed with fellow new addition and Barcelona great Sergio Busquets, as well as the rest of the squad, at the team’s Fort Lauderdale training facility.
Messi appeared to be in good spirits, smiling and laughing with Josef Martinez as the players began the workout with a light jog.
Inter Miami have had a terrible season so far and will be hoping that the additions of Messi and Busquets can turn things around.
Lionel Messi smiles during his first training session with Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale
The Argentina superstar takes part in a passing drill at Florida Blue Training Center
Messi holds first training session with his new Inter Miami teammate
Messi chats with new teammate and Inter Miami forward Josef Martinez during the session
Messi gives a thumbs up during his first session as an Inter Miami player on Tuesday morning
Fans are eagerly awaiting the world’s best player taking to the field against Cruz Azul on Friday
Fellow new signing Sergio Busquets (center) was also put through his paces by coaches
David Beckham demonstrates his approach while watching Messi’s first session.
Off the field, Messi shirt sales have already skyrocketed, and Inter Miami is anticipated to easily sell out the rest of their fixtures this season.
Messi is expected to make his first appearance in the pink of his new squad on Friday night in Major League Soccer’s new Leagues Cup competition.
Tata Martino’s team takes against Cruz Azul at their DRV PNK Stadium, with one ticket going for a whopping $110,000 as supporters vie for a chance to watch the GOAT in action.
Since his arrival in the United States, all eyes have been on the World Cup winner, who even went to PUBLIX with his family to stock up on food.
Following Messi’s reveal, the player’s wife Antonela took to Instagram to thank Inter Miami for their magnificent welcome.
‘How lovely the love with which they welcomed you, Leo Messi! ‘I’ll always be by your side!’
She then tagged Inter Miami in the post with three flexing bicep emojis and included a touching video of their three sons, Mateo, Ciro, and Thiago, dressed in Miami jerseys and chanting the team’s name.
Roccuzzo was personally received by Miami co-owner David Beckham during the unveiling ceremony on Sunday, and he delivered a speech addressing Messi’s family.
The DRV PNK stadium in Miami was packed with 20,000 fans eager to welcome Messi to their squad, and a severe rainfall that delayed the reveal did not dampen the mood.
Media lined the practice field to watch Messi being put through his paces by coaches
Messi and Busquets finally began their reunion, after many happy years together in Barcelona
Messi shows off his athleticism during his first session at Florida Blue Training Center
The entire team seemed rejuvenated by the arrival of Barcelona legends Messi and Busquets
Messi laughs as the team are addressed by coaches during the training session at Florida Blue
Fans have been permanently camped outside the stadium following Messi’s arrival in the USA
Messi is seen training with his new teammates, just three days before making his debut
As he prepares for his first match in Miami, the soccer great revs up his engines.
As Messi’s children arrive for the Miami event, they cheer the new team name.
Messi, 36, eventually made his way onto the field and addressed the crowd for the first time as a Miami player, with Antonella and their sons watching from the seats.
The Messi family owns a home in Miami, and their love of the city is thought to have contributed to their decision to relocate to the United States, despite a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.
Adidas and Apple TV are contributing to Messi’s estimated annual salary of $60 million in Major League Soccer.
Adidas will give him a percentage of Inter shirts sold with his name on the back, and Apple will do the same with MLS subscriptions generated by Messi’s relocation to the United States.
