Inter Miami officially sign Argentina great Messi until 2025

The Lionel Messi era at Inter Miami has officially begun.

The Major League Soccer club announced Saturday that the World Cup winner and seven-time Ballon d'Or recipient has signed a contract that will keep him in Miami through the 2025 season.

"I'm very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States," Messi said.

"This is a fantastic opportunity, and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I'm very eager to start helping here in my new home."

Messi has been signed as a Designated Player and is expected to link up with his new teammates in the coming days, the club said.

He'll be available to make his Inter Miami debut against Liga MX side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup on July 21. He could make his MLS debut when Miami resumes MLS action at home against Charlotte on Aug. 20.

Messi arrived in Miami on Tuesday to finalize a deal that's reportedly worth $60 million a year. He'll be unveiled to fans at the club's stadium Sunday.

The Argentinian first revealed the move in June after his two-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain ended.

It'll be the 36-year-old's first experience playing senior club football outside of Europe following a decorated career at Barcelona and a brief stint at PSG. In 853 club matches, he scored 704 goals, recorded 303 assists, and collected 37 trophies.

Inter Miami terminated the contract of Mexican midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro on Friday to free up a Designated Player slot for Messi.

Inter Miami reside in last place in the Eastern Conference with 18 points after 21 games.