Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, has once again captured the headlines with his latest move. The news of Messi's decision to join Miami's Inter club in the MLS has sent shockwaves through the footballing world. Known for his unmatched skill, agility, and goal-scoring prowess, Messi brings an unparalleled level of talent and star power to the American league. With his arrival, the MLS has gained a true icon of the sport, as Lionel Messi's name resonates with fans and critics alike. This landmark transfer marks a significant milestone in Messi's illustrious career, further solidifying his status as a global footballing phenomenon. The arrival of Lionel Messi in Miami heralds a new era for the MLS, as fans eagerly await the magical moments he will undoubtedly create on the pitch.
Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, best friends from their time at Barcelona, are joining Miami to revolutionize MLS. Their close bond extends beyond the pitch, with their wives being close friends and their children playing together. Florida will serve as the backdrop for their fairytale career ending.
As Messi prepares to settle in at Inter Miami, Sergio Busquets will bring a taste of their cherished Costa del Garraf lifestyle. During their time at Barcelona, they frequently visited each other's houses, fostering a strong friendship over the course of a decade.
Living in the tranquil beach town of Gava was one of the many perks Messi enjoyed at Barca. He could freely run errands in neighboring Castelldefels or take his children to school without being bothered by locals, who had grown accustomed to his presence and treated him like any other resident.
Similarly, Busquets relished the idyllic life in Les Botigues de Sitges. Residing in the exclusive Rat Penat neighborhood, he could venture into town without concerns about privacy or intrusion.
The Messi and Busquets families regularly gathered for barbecues, welcoming new players to the club and celebrating birthdays. Alongside Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Philippe Coutinho, Cesc Fabregas, and their respective partners, they formed a tight-knit group that was destined to reunite in the future, whether after retirement or playing together on another continent.
There was a glimmer of hope that they might reunite at Barcelona. When Messi attempted to return to the club this summer, they planned to relish their old lifestyle once more. There were even rumors that Messi had enrolled his children in the same school attended by Busquets' kids, Enzo and Levi.
However, the financial constraints faced by the club prevented their reunion, and Messi's subsequent move to Paris Saint-Germain further complicated matters. Nevertheless, they had a long-standing pact, reaffirmed through numerous reunion meals, to play together again in the same team. Now, that promise will be fulfilled in Miami.
Busquets arrived at La Masia a few years after Messi in 2005 and played for Pep Guardiola's B team, helping them secure promotion from the third tier in 2007. In 2008, Busquets and Messi found themselves training together for the first time when Guardiola, now the first-team coach, brought Busquets along. Messi instantly recognized Busquets' talent, remarking to Guardiola, "This one is good," and thus began their strong on-field connection and subsequent off-field friendship.
With Busquets turning 35 on July 16 and Messi having celebrated his 36th birthday recently, their close age proximity contributed to their shared experiences and common personality traits. Despite their reserved and quiet demeanor, both players welcomed the presence of more outgoing personalities. Busquets famously established a good rapport with Diego Costa when the latter joined the Spain squad, while Messi and Suarez became inseparable after the Uruguayan's arrival from Liverpool.
Their shared disposition, combined with an unwavering dedication to football, became a unifying force throughout their years together. While Messi's business ventures outside of football were often inspired by his family, particularly his father Jorge, Busquets took longer to diversify his investments. Recently, he has become an investor in locally sourced food line Heura and the pastries brand Manolo Bakes.
The bond between Messi and Busquets was further solidified by the friendship that developed between their wives, Antonella Roccuzzo and Elena Galera. Elena would visit Antonella during their time in Paris, providing support when she felt isolated in an unfamiliar environment.
Now that they are back at the same club, their wives' friendship can be rekindled, as well as the bond between Busquets' children and Messi's sons, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. For Inter Miami, it is a joyous reunion of fathers, both on and off the pitch.
When Busquets made his Barcelona debut in 2008, Messi was not part of the team. However, they quickly began playing together, and their first joint league game resulted in a resounding 6-1 victory over Sporting Gijon, with Messi netting two goals. This marked the beginning of their beautiful footballing friendship during Guardiola's transformative era.
Now, they are set to make their debut together for Inter Miami on July 21 against the Mexican side Cruz Azul. It was always destined to end this way. When Messi first spotted Busquets in their initial training session, he exclaimed to Guardiola, "This one is good," to which Guardiola confidently replied, "Well, you will see him in action soon enough."
Just as it was at Barcelona, their reunion at Inter Miami promises to be a remarkable chapter in their intertwined footballing journey.
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