FLORIDA KEY

20,000 Inter Miami fans give superstar Messi a hero's welcome

- JOHN CROSS

LIONEL MESSI promised to bring great times to Miami after being officially unveiled as the MLS' biggest asset.

Argentina superstar Messi, 36, was kept waiting for two hours during a horrendous downpour and storm before being introduced to the Inter Miami fans following his blockbuster move.

David Beckham, part-owner of the club, almost lost his footing on the slippery presentation surface but Messi kept his feet for the ceremony, which gripped the United States.

There was a spectacular fireworks show for the fans in the DRV PNK Stadium as well as welcome messages from NFL legend Tom Brady and basketball giant Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

Messi said: "I really want to start training and competing. I really want to win and for this club to keep growing.

"Personally, I believe that my team-mates are going to give everything to build this project and I'm very happy to have chosen this city and this project.

"I have no doubt we are going to have a great time and we are going to experience very nice things.