What is Lionel Messi’s first task after taking home the eighth Ballon d’Or trophy ever? reporting, of course, to Inter Miami CF for training.
Less than twenty-four hours after the iconic No. 10 further cemented his position in football history at Monday’s star-studded event in Paris, he was back in South Florida the following morning, training with his teammates at Herons.
Messi was greeted with a hero’s welcome to commemorate his most recent achievement, as was to be expected. There were speeches, an honour tunnel, and a big cutout “8” that the whole team signed.
Messi seems dissatisfied with his incredible first half-season at the club based on his quick return to Miami, which included an overnight transatlantic flight. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner led the Herons to their first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup 2023 victory, and the US Open Cup final after arriving in July.
His playing time was reduced in the latter stages of the MLS season due to injuries and his Argentine national team commitments, which prevented Miami from making it to the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
But Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets—two more sensational summer additions—are now gearing up to elevate the team. With the Herons expected to compete in the Concacaf Champions Cup, in addition to MLS and other commitments, they’ll have plenty of hardware to contend with come next season.
Furthermore, Messi and company might be in line for even greater success in 2024 if Miami decides to bring in more elite reinforcements.