Inter Miami lastly christened their new house at Miami Freedom Park, now formally referred to as Nu Stadium, in Saturday night time’s MLS match in opposition to Austin FC. With a nod to workforce star Lionel Messi, co-owner David Beckham described the event as a “dream come true.”
Messi‘s arrival in 2023 served as a catalyst for Inter Miami’s formidable plan to maneuver from Chase Stadium to a state-of-the-art new house. Quick-forward to in the present day, and probably the most formidable tasks spearheaded by co-owners Beckham and Jorge Mas has been realized, with the primary aggressive match on the venue happening on April 4, 2026.
Earlier than the opening whistle in opposition to Austin, Beckham addressed the group with an emotional speech: “After I got here to America and MLS 20 years in the past, my dream was to win championships, assist elevate the sport of soccer that I really like a lot and to construct my very own workforce.“
The England icon then mirrored on the journey, the trophies and the transformative presence of Messi. “13 years in the past, I introduced Miami was my selection. We had no title. We had no followers. We had no stadium. In the present day, I stand in our new house. We’re champions of MLS. We’ve got the most effective participant within the historical past of the sport enjoying in Miami. Goals actually can come true,” Beckham said.
David Beckham, Co-owner of Inter Miami CF, speaks previous to the sport in opposition to Austin FC at Nu Stadium.
Mas additionally took the microphone forward of the primary recreation at Nu Stadium, setting the tone for what he hopes will likely be a trophy-laden period on the new venue: “I believe it is a personification of what’s attainable. I believe it’s a tremendous stadium, a tremendous atmosphere. And pay attention, our objective is to elevate trophies and win championships, and I believe this will likely be a correct house to do this with our followers.“
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Lionel Messi’s phrases for Nu Stadium
Messi’s presence on the membership has been intrinsically tied to the stadium undertaking, as Inter Miami’s industrial revenues and funding grew exponentially following his arrival, making Nu Stadium a much more attainable actuality. His contract extension announcement final yr was made whereas Miami Freedom Park was nonetheless below development, a becoming image of how intently his future and the membership’s ambitions have been aligned.
Talking on Inter Miami’s official social media channels forward of the debut, Messi expressed his pleasure in regards to the new house: “Actually, it’s spectacular attending to see the brand new house, the brand new stadium turned out unimaginable, and it’s actually particular to have the ability to expertise it. We’d been wanting to play there, to make our debut, to lastly be competing there formally, and now the second has arrived.“
Guilherme Biro’s objective within the sixth minute had the excellence of being the primary ever scored at Nu Stadium, however it was Messi’s header within the tenth minute that gave Inter Miami their first objective at their new house, with Luis Suarez including one other shortly after. With the subsequent house recreation in opposition to the New York Purple Bulls on the horizon, Messi will now look to start writing his legacy at Nu Stadium simply as he has executed all through his time with the Herons.
