Lionel Messi takes to the practice field for 1st time since signing with Inter Miami

Lionel Messi jogged a lap with his new teammates, took part in a warmup drill of players making short passes in a tight circle and before long tapped his left foot at a ball that wound up in back of an open net.

Inter Miami’s new star wasted time fitting right in.

World Cup winner and seven-time Ballon d’Or recipient as world’s best player took part in a training session with his new Major League Soccer club for first time on Tuesday, three days after signing a 2 1/2 year contract that’ll pay him between $50 million and $60 million a year.

A helicopter hovered overhead, drones buzzed around field and about 200 media members lined up toward back of complex to get a look at Messi. He, like newly signed Sergio Busquets — also a World Cup winner — went through a welcome tunnel as part of first practice, which meant jogging past teammates as y lined up and clapped.

Messi’s first match is expected to be Friday, a Leagues Cup contest at home against Cruz Azul. Some tickets are going for as little as $275 or so on secondary market; some of very best seats are exceeding $19,000. Prices have been fluctuating quite a bit and likely will continue doing so until game time.

n again, someone might get front-row tickets for $1. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, a Republican candidate for president, has asked backers to “consider making a $1 donation” to get him on debate st — saying all such dors would be entered in a chance to be in front row for Messi’s debut game.

Such is power of Messi. Inter Miami hasn’t won an MLS match in more than two months; it has gone 0-8-3 in MLS play since beating New England on May 13.

Making MLS playoffs are a long shot for Miami. But re is hope for or trophies, such as Leagues Cup — a tournament between teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX, with both leagues shutting down regular play for competition — and U.S. Open Cup.

Inter Miami is in semifinals of U.S. Open Cup; it’ll play Cincinnati in late August. final of that tournament is in September.

Messi’s decision to play in U.S. might be biggest boost ever for American soccer on pro st. Some of game’s biggest names — Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Thierry Henry and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham himself — have come to U.S. toward end of ir careers, but landing a player still worse than near pinnacle of his game and just a few months removed from hoisting a World Cup is simply huge, especially with part of next World Cup in 2026 set to be played on U.S. soil.

“It shouldn’t be lost on anybody that timing is right,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “Copa America will be here in 2024, Club World Cup will be here in 2025, World Cup will be here in 2026. This is t a coincidence, right? It’s all part of our continual focus to do everything we can to make our league a league of choice, t just here, but around world and be part of conversation.”