Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo thanked Inter Miami for their impressive welcome at the team’s glitzy ceremony on Sunday night.
On Monday night, she shared a selfie on Instagram of herself, Messi and their three children, with the caption: ‘New beginnings.
‘How lovely the affection with which you were received, Leo Messi! Always by your side!’
He then tagged Inter Miami in the post with three flexed biceps emojis and also shared a touching video of his three sons, Mateo, Ciro and Thiago, wearing Miami jerseys chanting the team’s name.
Roccuzzo was personally welcomed by Miami co-owner David Beckham during Sunday’s ceremony and gave a speech referencing Messi’s family during the unveiling.
Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo thanked Inter Miami for their incredible welcome
Antonela also shared a video of her three children wearing Miami jerseys, chanting the team’s name.
Antonela was surprised by the reception her husband received at her inauguration on Sunday.
Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium was packed with 20,000 fans ready to welcome Messi to their team and a torrential rain that delayed the opening did not dampen the excitement.
Messi, 36, finally took to the field and spoke to fans for the first time as a Miami player, with Antonella and their children watching from the stands.
The Messi family owns a home in Miami and their fondness for the area is believed to have contributed to their decision to move to the United States, despite receiving a more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.
Adidas and Apple TV are contributing to the $60 million a year Messi is expected to earn playing in Major League Soccer.
Adidas will pay a portion of Inter shirts sold with his name on the back, while Apple will do the same for MLS subscriptions that follow Messi’s move to the United States.
Messi will train with his new Miami teammates on Tuesday and is expected to play his first game with his new team on Friday, against Mexican club Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
Messi told his new fans on Sunday night: ‘Thank you very much. First of all I want to thank all the people of Miami for this welcome, this affection. I want to thank them for the kindness and affection they have shown me. This has happened so quickly.
‘I’m very happy to be here, to be with you. I want to thank José (Mas, co-owner of Miami), David (Beckham) for the welcome.
Antonela was welcomed by Miami co-owner David Beckham during Sunday’s ceremony
Messi thanked the 20,000 fans present for the welcome his family received in Miami
Messi is expected to practice with Miami on Tuesday and play his first match on Friday.
‘They’re making everything easy for us, everything has been spectacular since we arrived. I’m really looking forward to starting training and competing. I want to win so that the club continues to grow.
‘I hope you will join us as you have done since the beginning of the season. I thank my new colleagues for their welcome.
“I am very happy to have chosen this city with my family, to have chosen this project. I have no doubt that we will have a great time. Thank you all very much for this day.”
Miami itself is in dire need of Messi’s star quality. It has not won in 11 MLS games and is last in the Eastern Conference, 12 points out of the playoff spots.
One of Messi’s Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets, followed Messi to Miami and was also introduced on Sunday night.
Another new signing, defender Jordi Alba, is expected to join soon.