Lionel Messi can’t come soon enough! Inter Miami makes it ELEVEN games without a win

Excitement over Lionel Messi is reaching boiling point as Inter Miami prepares to unveil him on Sunday afternoon – and on the pitch the Argentine superstar can’t come soon enough.

Inter Miami went an incredible 11 games without a league win on Saturday night as they lost 3-0 to St. Louis City, a team entering their first MLS season.

The team, owned by David Beckham, may have landed their superstar this week, but that has only momentarily diverted attention from the fact that they haven’t won a league game since May 13 when they pushed past New England Revolution.

They have since been defeated by Nashville, Orlando City, Montreal, New York Red Bulls, D.C. United, New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union, with former coach Phil Neville fired.

In the past month, Tata Martino has stabilized the ship somewhat by closing draws against Austin, Columbus Crew and D.C. United, but Miami lost its way again Saturday night in St. Louis.

Tata Martino (center) will be happy with Messi, but he has yet to win a match

Inter Miami have finally announced the arrival of Messi to confirm MLS’s worst kept secret on Saturday

Samuel Adeniran opened the scoring in the first half of the game at CityPark, before Tim Parker doubled the lead shortly before half-time.

In the second half, Eduard Lowen made it 3-0 and sent Inter Miami to another dismal result – and badly in need of the likes of Messi and Sergio Busquets.

The defeat leaves Inter Miami worryingly far behind in the race for the Eastern Conference playoffs, with just five wins in their 22 games.

They are 12 points off ninth-place Chicago Fire and just inside the playoff spots, while St. Louis sits nicely at the top of the Western Conference.

Miami now has the fewest points of any team in the two MLS conferences, putting Messi in a position he has never had before in his storied and successful career.

The Argentina World Cup winner will be unveiled on Sunday in a grand ceremony at the team’s stadium in Fort Lauderdale, after his arrival was confirmed on Saturday.

The news was football’s worst kept secret, but Messi is now officially an Inter Miami player and will earn $60 million a year.

While his impact will be felt far beyond the pitch, coach Martino will be desperate for his former Barcelona player to brighten up the league and drag Inter Miami back into contention for the postseason.

Following the announcement on Saturday, Messi, who joins the club as a Designated Player, said: “I am very much looking forward to starting this next step in my career at Inter Miami and in the United States.

‘This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build on this great project. The idea is to work together to achieve the goals set, and I can’t wait to help here in my new home.”

Messi has signed a deal with the club through to the 2025 MLS season following PSG’s departure

Messi has been on holiday in the Caribbean with his wife Antonela and their three sons

The arrival of Messi, 36, marks a major coup for David Beckham’s Inter Miami and for MLS

The 36-year-old, regarded as one of the greatest of all time, led Argentina to World Cup glory

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will cash in on adidas jersey sales and Apple MLS subscriptions, while the deal is also reported to include a option that would allow him to become a co-owner of the club.

“I am honored to welcome Leo Messi and his family to their new home,” said Inter Miami manager Jorge Mas.

“In 2018, we made a commitment to build an ambitious club that would attract the best players in the world.

“A club that would transform the global image of futbol in the United States and ensure that wherever futbol is talked about, your Inter Miami is part of the conversation. A big thank you to our fans who never stopped believing. Together we will continue to make dreams come true.’