Inter Miami introduce Messi as 'the best player to ever don boots'

Lionel Messi was dubbed the "best player to ever don boots" during his unveiling as an Inter Miami player.

The Argentina superstar and fellow new arrival Sergio Busquets were both introduced to the club's fans during a rain-soaked event at the DRV PNK Stadium last night. 

With 20,000 supporters watching on, Messi was handed the No10 shirt before vowing that struggling Miami's fortunes would improve. 

The World Cup winner, 36, said: "I want to thank all the people of Miami for their welcome and love since I arrived in this city. 

"The truth is that I’m very excited and very happy to be here and to be with you.

"I can't wait to start training and competing. I'm here with the desire I've always had to compete, to want to win and to help the club continue to grow.

Watch the MLS live on Apple TV+ with an MLS Season Pass

"I am very happy to have chosen to come to play in this city and I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy it a lot.

"We are going to have a good time and very good things are going to happen."

As co-owner David Beckham looked on with a beaming smile on his face, Miami's primary owner Jorge Mas reinforced the message that it was a dream come true to sign Messi. 

He said: "When David and I first met and we dreamt of what Inter Miami represents, it started off with the freedom to dream. 

"And we dreamed of not only bringing elite players and the best players but the best player to ever don boots — and his name is Lionel Andres Messi."

Messi revealed last month that he had agreed to move to Major League Soccer when his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired. 

And with Miami confirming the deal was signed and sealed on Saturday, they quickly followed up the World Cup winner's acquisition by landing Sergio Busquets yesterday. 

A nine-time LaLiga winner with Barcelona, 35-year-old Busquets said: "This is a special and exciting opportunity that I'm very excited to take. 

"I'm looking forward to this next step in my career."