World soccer star Lionel Messi arrived in Florida on Tuesday ahead of his signing for Inter Miami, according to footage from US broadcaster ESPN.
The Argentinian arrived by private jet at a small Fort Lauderdale airport adjacent to the stadium of Inter Miami, American Major League Soccer club.
Fans had already started gathering outside the stadium early Tuesday in anticipation of the arrival of the “Pulga”, who should sign a two and a half year contract for a remuneration of 60 million dollars per year.
Last month, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner announced he was joining the Florida club after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired.
Inter Miami announced on Friday that an event called “The Unveil” (the unveiling) would be held on July 16 in its stadium.
The Argentinian is the biggest star in MLS history to sign in this championship, and the most famous player to sign in the United States since Pelé and his arrival at the New York Cosmos in 1975.
Lionel Messi, who became world champion with Argentina in December, is set to be joined in Miami by his former FC Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, and the two could be featured together.
The club recently appointed former FC Barcelona and Argentina coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino as manager of the team.
Messi is set to make his debut on the pitch on July 21 against Mexican club Cruz Azul in the new Leagues Cup, a tournament between top division clubs in the North American soccer league (MLS) and the Mexican league.
Inter Miami are bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference and rank 28th out of 29 clubs in the league.
