After Lionel Messi was unveiled in front of more than 20 000 fans as Inter Miami's newest signing earlier this week, club co-owner David Beckham has revealed it may be a bit longer before fans see him on the pitch.
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On Sunday evening, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was greeted by rapturous applause from the Herons faithful as the diminutive attacker was brought out to the centre circle of the DRV PNK Stadium.
The moment was a culmination of Beckham and the Mas brothers' work in making the Major League Soccer franchise an alluring destination for the world's best players.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is already training with his new teammates, and while he was expected to make his debut against Mexican giants Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup this Friday, Beckham has now admitted that Messi may not make his first appearance for the club then.
"It will be a difficult match against Cruz Azul. We know that it is a great team with good players," he told ESPN Argentina.
"We don't know if Leo is going to play the game or if he will have minutes, because I think that, after all, he needs to be ready.
"We have to protect him and make sure he's ready, because he's been on vacation and just arrived in Miami. He's trained and looks good.
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"I think Leo and Tata will decide when and if he plays on Friday, but the atmosphere here will be amazing and hopefully we can get the win."
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