OFFICIAL:Lionel Messi Completes His Free Transfer To David Beckham's MLS Side Inter Miami Until 2025.

MLS side Inter Miami have finally confirmed the signing of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi on a free transfer.

The World Cup winner moves to the club after his exit from French club Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this contract with the Ligue 1 champions.

His former team Barcelona were interested in bringing Messi back to the Nou Camp, but an offer did not materialise due to LaLiga's financial fair play rules.

There was also interest from Saudi Arabia, where Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante now play, but Messi chose to join Inter Miami, who only became an MLS team in 2020 having been founded two years earlier.

David Beckham's Inter Miami bottom of MLS' Eastern Conference also took the advantage to land the seven time Ballon d'Or winner.

It has long been confirmed that Messi is moving to Miami, who have appointed Gerardo Tata Martino as manager, but the MLS club  officially announced the signing on Saturday evening on a deal that runs until 2025, ahead of a presentation to be held on Sunday at the DRV PNK stadium.

The supporters were offered a glimpse of the World Cup winner in the club's pink strip.

Tata Martino's debut match with Inter Miami had ended in a disappointing 3-0 loss to St. Louis, extending their winless streak to a staggering 11 games.

Tough times ahead as Messi joins the team amidst this challenging situation.

Messi speaking about the move and his decision to move to MLS.

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

"This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. 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.

Sí, Muchachos📍 pic.twitter.com/8E3f9hb9VU

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 15, 2023

 The Major League Soccer have also issued a statement, hailing the signing. 

"We are overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer, and his decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our league and our sport in North America... Reads a statement from MLS commissioner Don Garber.

"We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a league of choice for the best players in the game. We look forward to seeing his debut for Inter Miami in our Leagues Cup tournament later this month."

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."

Though Messi is due to be officially presented at an event on Sunday, he will first be available for selection for Inter Miami CF on July 21 when they take on LIGA MX side Cruz Azul in the opening match of the Leagues Cup, a new tournament in which MLS and LIGA MX will pause their respective league seasons from July 21 to August 19 to determine the three clubs that will qualify for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.