The best player in the worst club - Messi's Miami Vice signed and sealed

Lionel Messi has completed his move to David Beckham's MLS franchise Inter Miami on a free transfer. They officially announced the signing ahead of a presentation to be held on Sunday.

Barcelona were interested in bringing Messi back to Camp Nou, but an offer did not materialise due to La Liga's financial fair play rules. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner then chose to join Inter Miami who only became an MLS team in 2020, having been founded two years earlier. The team are bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference.

"I'm very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States," said Messi.

"This is a fantastic opportunity, and we will continue building this beautiful project together. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I'm very eager to start helping here in my new home."

Messi will first be available for selection for Inter Miami CF on July 21 when they take on Mexican side Cruz Azul.

Inter Miami co-owner Beckham said the move was "a dream come true".

"Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city," he said. "Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much.

"Today that dream came true. I couldn't be prouder that a player of Leo's calibre is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community.

"The next phase of our adventure starts here, and I can't wait to see Leo take to the pitch."