Before travelling to Miami to sign with his new team Inter Miami, Lionel Messi announced that he will take a few days off.
On his 36th birthday, the Argentine superstar visited his old team, Newell’s Old Boys, where he took part in a tribute honouring his former teammate Maxi Rodriguez. In his old haunt, Messi once again dazzled, scoring a magnificent first-half hat-trick for Argentina that featured a signature free-kick.
Messi also took part in a farewell match for Juan Roman Riquelme at La Bombonera and confirmed that he is planning to take a few days off before heading to Miami for his new journey.
WHAT THEY SAID: Speaking to Argentinian Public Television, “It is a very nice feeling to have been able to be at [Riquelme’s] testimonial, with all that he means for football in Argentina, what he means to Boca, to be once again in ‘La Bombonera’. Now there will be a few days of vacation and then I will start in my new city, my new club (Inter Miami ), I am very excited.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Messi will be unveiled as an Inter Miami player once his current Paris Saint-Germain contract expires at the end of this month.
- Lionel Messi has surpassed Diego Maradona, Pele, and Johan Cruyff as the “greatest ever,” according to ex-Barcelona and Holland player Patrick Kluivert.
- Lionel Messi is expected to return with former Barcelona manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino at Inter Miami, with the MLS club hoping to make an announcement in July.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
@InterMiamiCF
WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI? The former Barcelona star could make his debut in a Leagues Cup clash against Mexican club Cruz Azul on July 21.
