Lionel Messi training with Inter Miami, Inter Miami CF is a professional soccer team based in Miami, Florida. The club was established in 2018 and began competing in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2020 as an expansion team. Inter Miami is co-owned by a group of investors, including David Beckham, who is also a former professional footballer.
The team plays its home matches at DRV PNK Stadium, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The stadium has a seating capacity of around 18,000 spectators. The team’s colors are black, pink, and white, which are reflective of the vibrant Miami culture.
Inter Miami has been working to build a competitive team and establish itself in MLS. Their roster includes both international and domestic players, and the team is led by head coach Phil Neville, a former English international footballer.
As a relatively new team, Inter Miami is focused on growing its fanbase and making a mark in the MLS. The club aims to contribute to the development of soccer in the United States and become a prominent franchise in the league.
Lionel Messi takes first MLS practice in stride
Two days after his extravagant introduction to Inter Miami and MLS on Sunday, Messi appeared like he just wanted to be one of the guys on the team, instead of the soccer legend he is, during the practice session.
Messi took the dew-filled pitch at Inter Miami’s Florida Blue Training Center along with his teammates, starting at the front before falling into the pack during a quick warmup jog around the field and then breaking into some modest team drills.
Messi reunites with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets
Messi chatted with Venezuela star Josef Martinez during the jog.
Sergio Busquets wasn’t too far behind his former FC Barcelona teammate, during his first practice since also joining Inter Miami on Sunday.
Busquets had played 722 matches at Barcelona since 2005, winning nine La Liga titles. He also won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 UEFA European championship with Spain.
And around them all, the other Inter Miami players ran with smiles on their face as if the moment was too surreal.
David Beckham watches Lionel Messi training with Inter Miami
It didn’t take long before fellow soccer legend David Beckham, a co-owner of Inter Miami, joined the team on the pitch and sat on a soccer ball so he could watch from the sidelines.
Messi’s first practice in Major League Soccer was open to at least 200 media members for 15 minutes, and closed to the public.
But it didn’t stop several fans from lining the streets leading up to the practice field and stadium, hoping to get a glimpse of him.
Or a helicopter from hovering above the pitch to get a bird’s eye view of the historic moment.
