Credit: Twitter
Jimmy Butler-led Miami Heat and Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets are squaring off against each other in the NBA Finals 2023 as the Nuggets have taken a 2-1 lead with Game 4 scheduled to take place on Friday night at the Kaseya Center. Recently, the Argentine world cup winner, Lionel Messi has confirmed Miami as his next destination. Since then, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has been receiving loads of welcome messages from Hollywood stars and even NBA stars.
Lionel Messi announced that he will be moving to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami and signed a three-year deal with the club. The Heat players were asked how they feel about Messi’s move to the US and how will it help the football community in the country.
Also read: Inter Miami become most followed MLS team after Lionel Messi's announcement
Ahead of Game 4, Jimmy Butler attended a press conference and expressed his excitement on Messi's arrival to Miami as he said, "A lot of good, Obviously, he is one of the greatest players to play that beautiful game. I'm so excited for the city of Miami, to be able to have a player of that caliber here. I'm excited for the city of Miami in so many different ways. Now that he’s here, I think all the football/soccer fans from all over the world are going to come here and get an opportunity to watch him compete. I’m glad he’s here."
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Miami’s Kyle Lowry praised the MLS and expressed his admiration for Messi as he said, "MLS is a great league. I think they understand how to put the product out there. Bringing one of the world’s greatest football players out there, bringing him here, is going to be awesome."
Heat guard Gabe Vincent said it was a smart move by Messi even if he turned down more money from a Saudi Arabian club. "I think it was a great move on his part. From what I saw about the deal, it looks like it was a no-brainer decision to make," Vincent said.
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Heat swingman Max Strus, however, wasn’t as excited as his teammates as he said, "To be honest, I don’t really watch it that much. I don’t know a lot about soccer. I know who Messi is. Pretty cool to have him in our city. Can’t wait to meet him, if he comes to a game."
Basketball is by far more popular in the US as of now but Messi’s arrival in the country could change things. Especially if NBA stars continue to praise the former PSG forward football will grow in popularity. Messi is set to play his first match for the club against Cruz Azul on July 21.