One day after his Inter Miami signing was made official, Lionel Messi was presented to a packed house at DRV PNK Stadium in an event the club dubbed “The Unveil.”
Weather caused some issues in the build-up to the event, as some of the festivities were delayed amid a driving rainstorm.
But the main event started on time and fans — many of whom had showed up to the stadium several hours in advance — were in full voice despite the rain continuing to pour down in Fort Lauderdale.
Before Messi was introduced, Inter Miami unveiled another major signing who’d only been confirmed earlier in the day: Sergio Busquets.
After Busquets made brief remarks in English, his longtime Barcelona teammate made his way onto the DRV PNK Stadium pitch to a rapturous reception.
Messi was greeted by Inter Miami owners Jorge Mas, Jose Mas and David Beckham, and was later joined by his family on the midfield stage.
The Lionel Messi era in MLS is officially here. Here are some of the highlights of The Unveil: