Lionel Messi may be big fish in small MLS pond but ambition remains high

Lionel Messi is due at his first practice session for his new club Inter Miami on Tuesday. He can’t wait, he told a full stadium of expectant fans who had turned up and queued simply to see his unveiling.

Once on the training pitch, he will hope the weather is kinder than it was on Sunday, rain having disrupted his lavish official presentation. And that a good portion of the training is devoted to his team’s defensive organisation.

The anticipated impact of Messi’s move to the US, to a league of steadily improving strength and popularity and to a country less than two years away from hosting a World Cup, is huge.

As the ceremony put together for his arrival – "The Unveil" as it declared itself, or "The PresentaSIon", with a play on the word "si" ("yes" in Spanish) – made clear.

A range of celebrities and sporting stars sent video messages. A special walkway was erected at the site in Fort Lauderdale. The event was oversubscribed, some eager fans reportedly sneaking in without tickets.

There were one or two technological glitches in the show and a delay to proceedings caused by the rainfall.

“Miami weather,” the club’s managing owner Jorge Mas called it, a reminder that the Florida that appears on postcards, sun-kissed and tourist-friendly, is only part of the picture of what will be Messi’s new home at least until 2025, the 36-year-old having signed a two-year contract.

This bold sporting marriage, between the 21st century’s finest footballer and an 11-year-old club in a relatively young professional league. may also face some early squalls on the pitch. The evening before Messi’s unveiling, his teammates-to-be were being beaten 3-0 away at St Louis City, who are new to the top division of MLS.

It was Inter Miami’s 11th