Messi engages in first full training session with Inter Miami

Argentine World Cup champion

Lionel Messi kicked off his journey with his new team, Inter Miami, on Tuesday, actively engaging in his first full practice session with the Major

League Soccer squad

Together with his ex-Barcelona teammate, Spanish middle fielder Sergio Busquets, who became a Miami player on Sunday, Messi was greeted with a ‘tunnel’ welcome by his new squad

His fellow players positioned themselves in two lines opposite each other, and Messi and Busquets made their entrance through the ‘tunnel’ while getting applause and friendly pats on the back from their teammates

Engaging in a conversation with Venezuelan international Josef Martinez, predicted to be his offensive partner for Miami, Messi was observed by more than 200 media representatives who were present at the session while he partook in basic drills the end of October, then comes the playoffs, and the championship match, MLS Cup, on December 9

Messi

Messi was introduced to the club’s fans on Sunday at a festive event at the stadium, joined by Miami co-owner David Beckham

His inaugural game is slated for Friday

Inter Miami prepares for Leagues Cup

Miami, currently at the bottom of the 29team MLS, will be challenging the Mexican club Cruz Azul in the initial game of the brand new Leagues Cup, a tournament-style competition involving all premier league teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX

Following his team’s continuous winless run now reaching 11 games, Martino did not dismiss the possibility that Messi might not be game-ready quite yet

Messi’s last competitive match was for Paris Saint-Germain in the French league on June 4, followed by a friendly match representing Argentina against Australia in Beijing on June 15, where he scored within the first 79 seconds, contributing to a 2-0 victory

Contrary to the majority of Europe, the MLS season operates from late February until