Lionel Messi was given a rousing reception as thousands of fans braved torrential rain to welcome Inter Miami's new superstar signing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday.
Heavy rains delayed the 36-year-old Messi's grand appearance before eventually he was paraded as the new face of Major League Soccer (MLS) to a packed DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi, who seven months ago led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, was presented to fans during a glitzy event called 'The Unveil' at Miami's home stadium.
After being introduced, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner walked toward midfield along a spotlight-lined catwalk wearing a T-shirt and jeans and was presented with his No 10 shirt before addressing the crowd in Spanish. "I am very happy to have chosen to come to this city with my family, to have chosen this project and I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy it very much," said Messi. "We are going to have a good time and great things are going to happen.