There's a new superstar athlete heading to Miami and his name is Lionel Messi.
The 35-year-oldย Argentine football legend reportedly is leaving Europe behind after agreeing to a deal with MLS club Inter Miami, according to reporterย Fabrizio Romano.
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Messi, who is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players to ever touch the pitch, has decided to join the David Beckham-owned organization this summer despite being linked to his former club, Barcelona, and receiving interest from Saudi Arabia.
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Immediately fans all over the world went into a frenzy about the shocking news:
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Even Miami Dolphins star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa shared his enthusiasm for Messi's upcoming arrival:
After winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina over France in December 2022, Messi could possibly make his Inter Miami debut at a home game on Sunday, August 20 against Charlotte FC. MLS will be taking a month-long break from mid-July to mid-August for the playing of the Leagues Cup tournament.
Here's a look at the rest of Inter Miami's upcoming schedule:
| Date | Time (ET) | Fixture | Competition |
| Wed, Jun. 7 | 8 p.m. | @ Birmingham Legion | U.S. Open Cup |
| Sat, Jun. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | @ New England | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Jun. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | @ Philadelphia | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Jul. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Austin FC | MLS regular season |
| Wed, Jul. 4 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Columbus Crew | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Jul. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | @ D.C. United | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Jul. 15 | 8:30 p.m. | @ St. Louis City SC | MLS regular season |
| Fri, Jul. 21 | 8 p.m. | vs. Cruz Azul | Leagues Cup |
| Tue, Jul. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Atlanta United | Leagues Cup |
| Sun, Aug. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Charlotte FC | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Aug. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | @ NY Red Bulls | MLS regular season |
| Wed, Aug. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Nashville SC | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Sep. 3 | 10:30 p.m. | @ LAFC | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Sep. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Sporting KC | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Sep. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | @ Atlanta United | MLS regular season |
| Wed, Sep. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Toronto FC | MLS regular season |
| Sun, Sep. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | @ Orlando City SC | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Sep. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. NYCFC | MLS regular season |
| Wed, Oct. 4 | 8:30 p.m. | @ Chicago Fire | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Oct. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. FC Cincinnati | MLS regular season |
| Sat, Oct. 21 | 6:00 p.m. | @ Charlotte FC | MLS regular season |
