Lionel Messi’s unveiling was almost upstaged by lightning, torrential rain and a David Beckham slip

The official timeline for ‘La PresentaSÍon’ promised the motion would begin round 6.30pm in Fort Lauderdale. They acquired that bit proper. It was slated to happen in heart area. As a substitute it got here within the skies above DRV PNK Stadium: a flash of sunshine after which a growth which jolted the foundations of this non permanent floor. 

At the very least Inter Miami can at all times say the Lionel Messi period started with a bang. It is only a disgrace that, for some time, the fireworks and festivities fell sufferer to thunder and lightning and black clouds and swirling rain. 

They’ve had document temperatures right here in current days and the temper round Inter Miami has been approaching fever pitch, too. For a lot of Sunday evening, nevertheless, the stage erected on the midway line glistened not with soccer’s greatest star however with the particles of a tropical storm that threatened to rain on the most important parade in MLS historical past. 

Pity the poor employees whose job concerned mopping the runway, even whereas the heavens remained open. However ultimately, round 8.30pm, this stadium fell darkish once more and the skies of South Florida have been alight and crackling as soon as extra. Fortunately, these fireworks have been a part of the present. 

Rain nonetheless fell in Fort Lauderdale however the stands have been packed and the primary cries of ‘Messi, Messi’ rang out. 

Lionel Messi gave an emotional speech as he was unveiled as an Inter Miami participant on Sunday

Messi was launched to Inter Miami supporters alongside co-owner David Beckham (proper)

Beckham almost slipped over as he walked on the platform that had been drenched by rain

That they had been ready six weeks for this evening, because the World Cup winner introduced his transfer to Florida. 

When it lastly rolled spherical, they needed to wait some extra. They needed to anticipate co-owners David Beckham and Jorge Mas to shuffle alongside the moist platform – Beckham got here perilously near a slip – and say their bit. They needed to anticipate fellow new boy Sergio Busquets to be given the briefest unveiling. 

However, ultimately, shortly earlier than 9pm, Messi – ‘your No 10, Miami’s No 10, America’s No 10’ based on Mas – stepped into the sunshine. Up went the decibels, up went extra fireworks. Up got here the brand new pink shirt emblazoned with Messi: 10. 

He was gone a couple of minutes later, flanked by his household. It was quick however, for these supporters who braved the weather, how very candy. The hope for Inter Miami and Main League Soccer is that Sunday evening marks the beginning of a wedding that adjustments sport in america perpetually.

All captured in stunning high-definition, too. Apple and Main League Soccer have introduced particular measures for Inter Miami now Messi is on the town. The membership’s matches will embody ‘enhanced’ TV manufacturing, together with 18 cameras, Skycam and a drone. 

This new period kicked off on Sunday evening, with Skycam providing ‘distinctive angles of Messi’s unveiling.’ For a quick time, it appeared they may present solely enhanced footage of a flood. Fortunately the occasion survived. 

Subsequent step for Messi? Coaching on Tuesday after which his debut, scheduled for right here on Friday towards Cruz Azul. So you may forgive the clichés and cringe from Beckham and Mas. This was a daring deal that had its roots all the way in which again in 2019. ‘Tonight that dream comes true,’ Mas stated. 

Only some hours after this transfer turned official, nevertheless, got here the most recent, stark reminder of the truth Messi will face when all of the glitz and pomp ultimately offers technique to soccer. On Saturday evening, Inter Miami was crushed 3-0 by St Louis. 

Messi thanked Beckham and stated the Miami homeowners have made ‘every little thing straightforward’ for him

However the unveiling was delayed after a violent storm hit the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale

At one level, the climate across the stadium threatened to derail the night schedule 

It was Tata Martino’s first sport in cost. Their winless streak is now 11 matches; they’ve the fewest factors of all 29 MLS groups. They want a minor miracle to achieve the playoffs. Their squad has been in want of reinforcements. Time will inform how a lot magic is left on this 36-year-old body. 

It might’t harm that Messi will likely be surrounded by acquainted faces. On Sunday, Inter Miami confirmed the signing of his former Barcelona team-mate Busquets. Jordi Alba is predicted to hitch them. Busquets’ transfer was introduced shortly earlier than 4pm. 

By then, followers had been gathering exterior DRV PNK Stadium for a number of hours. They have been dotted across the floor; many arrange camp within the shade. Because the solar burned and clocks ticked in direction of night, followers painted a tapestry of Messi’s life and instances. 

There have been Inter Miami jerseys and bucket hats devoted to their new No 10. There have been Argentina uniforms – each rugby and soccer – but additionally the colors of Barcelona and even Newell’s Previous Boys, the storied Argentinian facet that Messi as soon as referred to as house. One fan, strolling by way of the fan zone, wore a black t-shirt that carried just one picture: a goat. 

Underneath the palm bushes close by, supporters loved a kickabout. By 4pm, the automotive park throughout the highway was alive with noise and meals and color. The tailgating had began and, earlier than lengthy, so had the fireworks. 

Fort Lauderdale was coming to the boil. After which the gods took over. Quickly the one flashes and bangs overhead had been despatched down from the heavens. The skies over DRV PNK Stadium have been already starting to blacken by the point the primary warnings got here by way of the audio system. 

Supporters in Florida have been compelled to hunt shelter from winds and torrential rain on Sunday

Fireworks gentle up the Fort Lauderdale sky as Messi is unveiled as an Inter Miami participant

Earlier within the night, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets was unveiled

Supporters have been warned to depart the bleachers and search shelter. Lightning was on its means and so have been delays. Down beneath, the stage, the lights, the smoke machines, the TV units – every little thing was lined in tarpaulin and braced for the storm. 

Round 6pm, half an hour earlier than the leisure was as a consequence of begin, the rain and wind arrived. They have been a brutal mixture. Supporters sought refuge in stairways and gangways. Ponchos have been blown off their backs, the on-pitch units took a battering, too. 

Outdoors the stadium, in the meantime, chaos was brewing, too. Drenched followers breached at the very least one safety gate, flooding inside, over the turnstiles and below cowl. On and on it went. 

This nook of South Florida was nonetheless being drenched in rain when the present began and the stands started to refill as soon as extra. 

Antonela Roccuzzo, Messi’s spouse, pictured making her means onto the sector in Miami

Victoria Beckham (proper) was additionally in attendance on a proud night for husband David 

Cue farcical scenes within the centre circle, the place DJs and dancers waltzed across the stage whereas, round them, crew mopped up water. That they had deliberate round two hours of music and leisure earlier than Messi emerged. 

Fortunately, the delays meant that schedule was flipped. Storms are part of life right here. In truth, it was instructed that by purchasing at Publix after which seeing finest laid plans scuppered by a downpour, Messi had loved a becoming begin to life in South Florida.

Late on Sunday evening, with the music nonetheless blaring, he re-emerged on to the sector to wave to supporters and to observe his youngsters kick a ball round. Quickly will probably be his flip.