Soccer superstar Lionel Messi picks Miami. What’s the internet saying about the move?
READ MORE
Messi to Miami
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi has signed a historic deal with Inter Miami. He instantly becomes the highest-paid and highest-profile athlete in the entire United States.
Expand All
For years, Argentine icon Lionel Messi hasn’t been a stranger to rumors linking him to Miami.
But the speculation has now — finally — turned into a reality: Messi will be signing with Inter Miami and making his debut in July.
READ MORE: Inter Miami offer to Lionel Messi sweetened by Apple, Adidas, MLS, report says
In the hours since the announcement, Inter Miami’s Instagram account has more than doubled its followers since Tuesday.
The account had almost 1.07 million followers Tuesday, according to CrowdTangle. As of Wednesday evening, they have close to 2.5 million.
Inter Miami’s Facebook page had about 327,000 followers Tuesday, compared to about 579,000, as of Wednesday evening.
And those numbers keep growing by the minute. Here’s what the internet has been saying as Messi’s future shakes the sports world.
Miami figures weigh in
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava welcomed Messi on Twitter, writing that she can’t wait to see the superstar “light up the field and inspire generations of Miamians.”
City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, too, celebrated the Messi news, bragging that Miami won “the worldwide competition to get sport’s most coveted athlete and brand.”
Flaningan’s, a beloved South Florida staple, shared an edited picture of Messi kissing one of the restaurant’s signature green cups.
Fan reaction mixed
And, of course, a Messi fan took to Twitter to complain about already soaring ticket prices.
This story was originally published June 7, 2023 at 6:01 PM.
