Fresh from signing a three-year extension with the Inter Miamithe Argentine Lionel Messi received the key to the city of South Florida from the mayor Francis Suarez this past Wednesday night in a ceremony that took place at the America Business Forum at the Kaseya Center.
“I have had this desire to give you this key for everything you have done for our great city, our country and the world of football. Thank you,” said Suárez, in statements reported by ESPN.
Messi, 38 years old, joined the Inter Miami on July 15, 2023 and made history almost immediately, leading the institution to its first title, the Leagues Cup, shortly after its debut.
Since then, the “Flea” has led the “Herons” to win the 2024 “Supporters’ Shield” and set the record for most points in an MLS regular season.
“This is a small gift from this city, which has captured all our hearts,” he said. Jorge Masco-owner of the club. “It is a welcome not only for you, but also for your wife Antonela and your beautiful family, so that they can always feel at home here,” he added.
Undeniable impact
On an individual level, Messi won the 2024 MVP award and won the 2025 Golden Boot. Likewise, he was also named as a finalist for the Most Valuable Player award of this campaign.
“Thank you, I feel very honored by this,” said the South American. “It’s true, like I said, we feel very loved, very grateful and happy to be living in this city. And to be able to have this distinction is a great honor, so thank you.”
Although the move from Paris to Miami has been very pleasant for Messi and his family, this was not the case when the Rosario phenomenon left Barcelona, where he played most of his career, for the French capital.
“Well, the reality is that the first time we moved to Paris it was difficult because we had lived our entire lives in Barcelona,” he recalled. “We were very happy there. The family, the children, we had everything. We grew up there.”
