MLS
Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets take part in their first training session with Inter Miami
The Argentine and his ex-teammate at FC Barcelona had their first training session at the Fort Lauderdale facilities.
It has finally happened. This Tuesday, the first training session for Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets with Inter Miami took place ahead of their expected debut in the Leagues Cup against Cruz Azul. The Argentine and the Spaniard were present with the rest of their teammates at the Florida Blue Training Center, right in the shadow of the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
The legendary FC Barcelona duo were always seen together and Messi integrated himself well within the group with players such as the Venezuelan Josef Martínez, the Canadian Kamal Miller and the Ecuadorian Leonardo Campana. All these players were led by the new ‘10′, who seemed very happy in his first training session in the United States under the orders of Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
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Media go Messi crazy ahead of MLS debut
There was a huge media presence at the training session, just as there had been at his presentation. Messi’s arrive has signalled a new age of MLS and many are seeing it as a true ‘before and after’ moment. MLS can count the years from now as 1 AM, after Messi.
The amount of media that gathered at the Inter Miami facilities was truly surprising, as reporters and photographers from Argentina, Ecuador, Canada, the United States, Mexico could all be seen. Likewise, Major League Soccer had access to the training centre in order to provide exclusive images to fans.
David Beckham was also present
The former England player was in Fort Lauderdale for the session and was seen on the pitch of the Florida Blue Training Center minutes before Inter Miami practice began. The owner of the team did not want to miss any details of the first training session for Messi and Busquets in their new adventure in North American football, and perhaps he was also reminded of his first days at LA Galaxy following his landmark move from Real Madrid.
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When will Messi make his debut with Inter Miami?
It is expected that Messi will make his debut, presumably alongside Sergio Busquets, in Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup game against Cruz Azul, which takes place at the home of The Herons, DRV PNK Stadium, on 21 July. The game will be covered live on AS USA, and you will also be able to watch it on TV and online.