Giants Lionel Messi murals, bulk jersey purchases, autograph tattoos are just the many ways Major League Soccer fans pay tributes to the arrival of one of the greatest players in the history of football to the American league. The 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning skipper completed his incredible move to Inter Miami via a free transfer from French Ligue 1’s Paris Saint-Germain in June and fans are more than ready to catch him in live action in DRV PNK Stadium later this month, where he will be unveiled as a new player in the MLS and Inter Miami.
Huge Messi Mural in Wynwood, Florida, Miami
After declining a move to the Saudi Pro League and an emotional return to Spanish La Liga’s Barcelona, Messi’s departure from Europe to the U. S. has caused a mania in the United States. As the clock ticks closer to his first match for Inter Miami, the club’s co-owner and president David Beckham was seen helping an artist to complete a Messi mural in a building in Wynwood, Florida, Miami, as a way to welcome the arrival of the 36-year-old megastar to his team.
The 48-year-old former Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder surprised artist Maximiliano Bagnasco for his Messi mural project alongside his wife Victoria a few days earlier, before helping to provide the Argentine a delicate touch to complete one of the largest Messi murals ever created in the country.
The former member of Spice Girls was as delighted as his husband for the incoming transfer of Messi to Inter Miami, and took to her Instagram account to compliment the ex-England national team captain’s effort in giving a finishing brush to the gorgeous artwork. She said: “So I think that David has done a really good job of painting Messi here in Miami. We’ve only been here a few days and he has got straight to it. And look, it’s massive. Is there nothing that David Beckham can’t do? He is up there, painting away, I’m impressed.”
A 10-Day Messi Mural Project
The creator behind the giant Messi mural is Maximiliano Bagnasco, who is an Argentine residing in the United States. When asked about the idea of this massive Messi mural creation, Bagnasco spoke about his effort to promote and honour his famous compatriots in other countries. “I say I’m slowing spreading Argentina throughout the world as I paint its most famous personalities (Like the Messi mural) in other countries. I get up at 6 a.m., so I can be here at 7, until the sun goes down, which is around 8 p.m.” was his statement.
He also added that he was flattered to see Inter Miami’s president Beckham present in the neighbourhood and provide the final touch to his Messi mural project, calling the visit as a “Surprise” and the former Red Devil and Galáctico as a “Humble person”.
Beckham: “Messi’s Move to Miami Was Not a Surprise.”
The Messi mural is just a classic example of how a megastar can completely change the dynamics of certain things in a place. When the 48-year-old Beckham was in London, he talked about how thrilled he was when he received the news that Messi is joining his team in Miami.
“A couple of weeks ago, I woke up to about a million messages on my phone. I was thinking, ‘What’s gone off?’ I don’t usually get this many messages. All of a sudden, I hear Leo has come out and announced he’s coming to Miami.
“Obviously, it wasn’t a surprise to me. I have always said, from the word go, that if I had the opportunity to bring the best players in the game to Miami, at whatever time of their careers, I would do that. I have always made that commitment to our fans. So when I hear that one of the best players – if not the best player – who has won everything in the game, who is still a great player, still young and still doing what he’s doing, wants to play for my team, it’s a massive moment for us”, said the former player who had made a total of 834 appearances for club and country during his playing career.
Inter Miami to Unveil Messi and Sergio Busquets at DRV PNK Stadium This Weekend, Argentine’s First Game Falls on 21st July 2023
Upon the completion of Bagnasco’s Messi mural project, news have confirmed that Beckham’s Inter Miami is set to unveil Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets at DRV PNK Stadium on 16th July 2023, a day after the team’s away MLS fixture against St. Louis.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had landed in the Ft. Lauderdale airport on Tuesday ahead of the official unveiling ceremony and told an Argentine TV show that he will continue to play with the same flare and hunger in this latest chapter of his career. Messi stated: “My mentality and my head are not going to change and I am going to try, wherever I have to be, give my best for myself and my new club, continue to perform at the highest level”.
After Messi unveiling ceremony has been confirmed, many now turn their attention to the Argentina national team captain’s first official game for the club. In relation to this, multiple sources have revealed that his competitive debut for Inter Miami will fall on 21st July 2023, when the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference outfit takes on Mexico’s Cruz Azul at home for the opening game of the 2023 Leagues Cup.
Where do you think Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will finish in this season’s Major League Soccer and cup competitions? We would also love to hear about your thoughts regarding the massive Messi mural created by Maximiliano Bagnasco down in the comment section below!