The Argentine superstar is set to be presented as an Inter Miami player on Sunday at “The Unveil” — an event at which his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are also expected to be introduced. None of the trio have officially signed as Inter Miami players as of yet.
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has said Messi will make between $50-60 million per year in his contract, and will likely debut in a July 21 Leagues Cup game against Cruz Azul.
Some have accused Messi of looking to ease into an early retirement with his move to MLS. His own former club Barcelona said in a terse press release: “President [Joan] Laporta understood and respected Messi’s decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years.”
Before traveling to Florida to finalize his move, Messi gave an interview with Televisión Pública Argentina in which he looked to counter that perception, saying he is not going to Miami for a vacation.
“We are happy with the decision we made,” Messi said, referring to himself and his family. “Prepared and eager to face the new challenge, the new change.
“My mentality and my head are not going to change and I am going to try to give my all for myself and my new club, and continue to perform at the highest level.”
On Tuesday, Messi and his family were seen at an airport in Miami after landing on a private plane.
