Lionel Messi is pleased with the reception he has received at Inter Miami. The welcome at the Major League Soccer club is very different from his experience at Paris Saint-Germain, where he signed two years earlier after an abrupt departure from Barcelona. The Argentine never truly adapted to life in the French capital.
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Messi held his first press conference as a player of Inter Miami on Thursday, where he had been consistently scoring in the Leagues Cup tournament over the past few weeks. "I'm very happy here," the star player said. "From the beginning, I've said that this is the place we chose to come to. We took our time, which made it easier."
Unlike his move to Paris, it feels different for Messi. In the summer of 2021, he left Barcelona after years of loyal service. Financial constraints prevented the Catalan club from retaining him, leading Messi to choose PSG. "It wasn't actually something I wanted. I didn't want to leave Barcelona, and it all happened overnight."
Messi's family moved to Paris with him. "We had to adjust to a completely different place from where I had spent almost my entire life. It was totally different, both in terms of the city and the club. That was tough. It was completely the opposite of what is happening now in Miami, fortunately."
Miami being known as the unofficial capital of Latin America makes it easier for Messi and his family to settle. "The way we've been received here is impressive. There are a lot of Latinos here. They are close to us. They show their emotions and feelings more quickly. I already knew it was like this here because I've been here on vacation before. Now I live here."
Updated: 11:00, 18 Aug 2023
