Featured Image Credit: TyC Sports
Topics: Lionel Messi, MLS, Inter Miami
Ryan Smart
Lionel Messi is in his first official week as an Inter Miami player after his move was officially confirmed - and he is quickly getting to know his new team-mates.
The Argentinian was unveiled by his new club on Sunday, with his signing on a two-and-a-half year contract having been confirmed on the previous day.
He will be joined by a familiar face in the United States, with legendary midfielder Sergio Busquets making the move after the expiry of his Barcelona contract.
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They have also been linked with the signing of left-back Jordi Alba, another former Barcelona star.
The club's other Designated Player is the former Wolves forward Leonardo Campana, with ex-Newcastle full-back DeAndre Yedlin and Venezuela forward Josef Martinez among the other players that manager Gerardo Martino has at his disposal.
And in new training footage, it appears that Messi already has a new best friend at Inter Miami.
The 36-year-old is set to make his debut for the MLS franchise on Friday, in a Leagues Cup match against Mexican side Cruz Azul.
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The MLS does not resume until August 21, meaning Messi has a month to prepare for his first league fixture as an Inter Miami player.
And after his summer break, which included the formalisation of his exit from PSG, the Argentinian has already begun getting ready for his Inter Miami bow.
You can see footage of Messi training with his new team-mates below.
The forward can be seen chatting to Venezuela star Martinez, one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the MLS.
The 30-year-old smashed in 77 goals in his first 83 MLS appearances for Atalanta United between 2017 and 2019, but missed the entire 2020 season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his side's opening game of the season.
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Returns of 12 goals from 24 games and nine goals from 26 games followed, before he was traded to Inter Miami for the 2023 season.
With Inter Miami currently bottom of the Eastern Conference, and without a win since May, the franchise will be desperate for Messi and Martinez to form a potent partnership at the top end of the pitch.