Lionel Messi will make his debut for Inter Miami on July 21 against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener, managing proprietor Jorge Mas told the Miami Herald on Tuesday.
Messi and Miami have reached an agreement and are finalizing documentation and credentials following the Argentine superstar’s announcement this month that he would be joining the club.
According to the Miami Herald, the 35-year-old will sign a two-and-a-half year contract worth $50 million to $60 million per year with an option to extend until 2026.
“There are no alterations whatsoever to the roster regulations. “There are no changes to categories or anything else to accommodate Lionel Messi’s addition to Inter Miami’s roster,” Mas added.
Having the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner on board will be a huge lift for soccer in the United States, where its prominence lags behind the other four main men’s professional divisions in North America.
Mas described Messi’s arrival as “the seminal moment” in the annals of U.S. soccer, given that MLS aspires to be one of the finest divisions.
Mas stated, “I believe there will always be a before and after Messi when discussing soccer in the United States.”
“I am extremely confident that North America and the United States can establish, if not the finest league, then one of the top two divisions in the globe.
“Lionel Messi will arrive in this nation to win trophies and make an impact. I believe that it is incumbent upon me and my league companions, the other proprietors, to grasp the occasion.”
In a matter of hours, the announcement of Messi’s move to Miami caused ticket prices to increase by 1,034% and the team’s Instagram account to gain eight million new followers.
Miami is currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, seven points behind ninth place, the final position that would offer them a shot at making the playoffs.
The Leagues Cup is an annual competition between teams from the MLS and Liga MX.