Lionel Messi has been spotted looking cool and relaxed in practice just a day ahead of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup quarterfinals clash against MLS rivals Charlotte FC, as club co-owner David Beckham watched on.
The 36-year-old was put through his paces along with his teammates once again at Florida Blue Training Center on Thursday and even cracked a smile at times while chatting with the team’s relatively new left-back Jordi Alba and striker Josef Martinez.
Messi has been impressive since moving to America last month, scoring seven goals and assisting once in three starts for the Herons, though all of his contributions have only come in the Leagues Cup.
And now, as a result of that, the 2022 World Cup champion will have to bid his time a little longer until he finally makes his MLS debut, after Miami’s unexpected deep run in the US domestic cup that only includes Liga MX and MLS teams.
Messi was due to appear in the league for the first time, ironically against Charlotte, at DRV PNK Stadium on August 20, but the match has now been postponed. A new date for the fixture has yet to be announced.
Lionel Messi trains during Miami’s practice session at Florida Blue Training Center on Thursday
Co-owner of the Herons, David Beckham, watches Messi and his teammates from the sidelines
Messi, left, was put through his paces along with long-time club teammate Jordi Alba, right
Messi, right, cracked a smile while standing by the sides of striker Jose Martinez and Alba, left
Messi’s first MLS match now is expected to be on August 26, against the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey.
Earlier this week, Messi divided fans worldwide after footage showed the Argentine moving the angle of the ball with the referee’s back turned, before scoring a free kick against FC Dallas to level Inter Miami in a penalty shoot out win in the Leagues Cup’s round of 16 after both sides drew 4-4 by the end of regulation.
What’s more is that two days after his team’s latest win on August 6, the Argentine was spotted visiting a friend in Fort Lauderdale with his wife, also his childhood sweetheart, Antonela, as they both took a break from house-hunting in Magic City.
Messi was also praised by the Argentine FA for his blistering start to America this week, with the country’s soccer federation hailing its top scorer of all time with 103 goals with an emotional video, which read: ‘They say that in the United States you can see aliens.’
Messi has scored seven goals in three starts for Inter Miami since his arrival at the club in July
Messi’s MLS debut was postponed to later this month after Miami’s deep run Leagues Cup run
Messi, 36, took a water break during Thursday’s practice as he’s still adjusting to Florida heat
THUMBS UP, IF YOU’RE LOVING LIFE: Messi seemed to be in a good mood in training, Thursday
Inter Miami has been undefeated since Messi’s arrival at the club last month, going 4-0 after having been without a win in nine consecutive MLS matches before the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner announced that he was leaving Europe this summer.
Messi signed with Miami in July after two years with Paris Saint-Germain.
In a career spanning more than 17 years with FC Barcelona, Messi has scored more than 700 career goals.
He agreed to a two-and-a-half seasons contract with Inter Miami, worth between $50million and $60million annually.
The deal’s value is estimated to be between $125M and $150M in cash alone.
