Lionel Messi Joins Inter Miami in 2023

In July 2023 Lionel Messi left European football and signed with Inter Miami CF of Major League Soccer, a club co-owned by David Beckham. His debut on 21 July against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup produced a stunning last-minute free-kick winner. Messi went on to lead Miami to its first trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup, and was named the tournament’s best player. His arrival transformed the club’s fortunes and the league’s profile, driving record ticket demand, sold-out crowds, and a surge in global TV audiences. At 36, Messi brought unprecedented star power to North American soccer while continuing to represent Argentina, with whom he had won the 2022 World Cup months earlier.