FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi swiftly turned a corner with his mesmerizing burst, waited patiently for a pass to catch up to him, and scored into the right corner of a practice goal.
With two gallops back to the line, as if he was trying to feel his legs under him, Messi’s first practice with Inter Miami CF was well underway on Tuesday.
Messi Mania, or Messi’s introduction into Major League Soccer, is still underway with both the American soccer league and South Florida region welcoming the international star.
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Lionel Messi takes first MLS practice in stride
Two days after his extravagant introduction to Inter Miami and MLS on Sunday, Messi appeared like he just wanted to be one of the guys on the team, instead of the soccer legend he is, during the practice session.
Messi took the dew-filled pitch at Inter Miami’s Florida Blue Training Center along with his teammates, starting at the front before falling into the pack during a quick warmup jog around the field and then breaking into some modest team drills.
Messi reunites with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets
Messi chatted with Venezuela star Josef Martinez during the jog.
Sergio Busquets wasn’t too far behind his former FC Barcelona teammate, during his first practice since also joining Inter Miami on Sunday.
Busquets had played 722 matches at Barcelona since 2005, winning nine La Liga titles. He also won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 UEFA European championship with Spain.
And around them all, the other Inter Miami players ran with smiles on their face as if the moment was too surreal.
David Beckham watches Messi’s first Inter Miami practice
It didn’t take long before fellow soccer legend David Beckham, a co-owner of Inter Miami, joined the team on the pitch and sat on a soccer ball so he could watch from the sidelines.
Messi’s first practice in Major League Soccer was open to at least 200 media members for 15 minutes, and closed to the public.
But it didn’t stop several fans from lining the streets leading up to the practice field and stadium, hoping to get a glimpse of him.
Or a helicopter from hovering above the pitch to get a bird’s eye view of the historic moment.
Messi even gave a thumbs up toward the media, acknowledging their presence at what would’ve otherwise been a routine practice for any other team before any other game.
Messi’s first week with Inter Miami and MLS will culminate with his highly anticipated debut in Leagues Cup play against Cruz Azul on Friday night at DRV PNK Stadium.
