MIAMI — On Wednesday night, Mayor Francis Suarez presented Lionel Messi with the key to the city of Miami during his address at the America Business Forum at Kaseya Center. “I have long wished to present this key to you for all that you’ve accomplished for our great city, our nation, and the world of football. Thank you,” Suarez stated. Messi joined Inter Miami on July 15, 2023, and swiftly made history by leading the club to its first trophy with the inaugural Leagues Cup victory just days after his debut. Since then, he has propelled Inter Miami to win the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and set a record for the most points in a single MLS season. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas praised Messi, saying, “This is a small gift from the city that has captured all our hearts. This welcome is not only for you but for your wife, Antonela, and your beautiful family, ensuring you always feel at home here.” Individually, Messi has secured the 2024 MLS MVP and the 2025 Golden Boot, and he is also a finalist for the 2025 MLS MVP. Although his original contract with the club was set to expire at the end of the 2025 season, the 38-year-old recently signed a three-year extension, committing to South Florida until 2028. “Thank you, I am very honored by this recognition,” Messi expressed. “As I mentioned earlier, we feel immensely loved, grateful, and happy living in this city. This distinction is a great honor for me.” Messi has previously discussed the challenges he faced during his transition from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, emphasizing the difficulty of adjusting to a new life in France after spending his formative years in Spain. “Moving to Paris was tough because we had lived our whole lives in Barcelona. My family and I were very happy there; we had everything we needed. It was a significant change, but we adapted well over time,” he reflected. “However, I wasn’t enjoying football as much for various reasons.” After a two-year tenure with PSG, Messi made the surprising decision to join Inter Miami. “It was a family decision; we chose to pursue my professional career in Miami. Being able to choose where I want to be has made a significant difference. My experience here has been spectacular. The welcome I received has been incredible since day one.” On the same day, Inter Miami announced that its new stadium near Miami International Airport has reached a significant construction milestone, with the final beams for the stadium canopy being installed. “I am content here and excited to continue my journey. I am looking forward to the stadium being completed so I can play there,” he remarked. Inter Miami is set to compete in the final game of the best-of-three Round 1 playoff series against Nashville SC this Saturday night at its current venue, Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
