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During his first press conference for Inter Miami, a select group of regional and international journalists gathered inside a jam-packed conference room at Inter Miami's DRV Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Since joining the team in July, Lionel Messi has scored nine goals and provided three assists in six games, showcasing his outstanding performance for Inter Miami. This helped the team reach the inaugural expanded Leagues Cup final. Despite the team's position at the bottom of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference standings, Messi has sparked an impressive turnaround with the support of former colleagues Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and manager Tata Martino.
Messi is often characterized as a man of few words.
Upon entering the room and spotting the cameras and seated reporters, Messi paused, displaying a brief grin, clearly surprised by the immense number of journalists eager to hang on his every word.
His press conferences during the last World Cup in Qatar felt like significant events. Reporters queued up nearly an hour before the event, hoping for entry. FIFA press representatives, resembling nightclub security, guarded the entrances to the auditorium at the Qatar National Convention Center. Some media personnel were denied access before Argentina's opening group match against Saudi Arabia due to space limitations. As Messi made his entrance wearing Argentina's national team jersey, the room echoed with the sound of camera shutters. Some Argentine journalists applauded as Messi approached the podium, and a few were visibly emotional as he departed.
The setting was notably cozier, and the ambiance was more laid-back on this particular Thursday. The sound of camera shutters was less pronounced, and Messi appeared more relaxed. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is clearly excited to be playing football again in a new country, city, and club, especially now that the pressures of the World Cup are behind him.
Although this wasn't a World Cup press conference, it was still a monumental moment for American soccer. With global attention tuned in, the sport's greatest player would finally shed light on his decision to join the MLS.