- Lionel Messi and Governor Ron DeSantis are said to have met on Thursday
- DeSantis announced that the state will donate $8 million to Miami-Dade County
Lionel Messi sparked backlash on Thursday after the Inter Miami star was photographed with Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
Governor DeSantis was at Inter Miami’s facility to announce an $8 million injection into Miami-Dade County as the team builds its new stadium.
And as part of the visit, the Governor of Florida held a meeting with the Argentine superstar, who is the captain of Inter Miami and the biggest star in MLS.
However, the photo, which was posted on team owner Jorge Mas’ X account, sparked criticism on social media from some fans, with one claiming Messi had been used as a “political object.”
‘What a horrible post, keep football clean of politics,’ said one wrote. ‘Shameful.
Inter Miami fans were upset after Lionel Messi posed with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Governor DeSantis announced that the state will donate $8 million to Miami-Dade County to improve roads and other infrastructure around the stadium being built for Inter Miami.
“Don’t make our (goat) a political object,” said another.
“When business owners are faced with scammers, it’s no surprise,” added another.
“I unfollowed him,” added a fourth.
In addition to Messi and Governor DeSantis, the photo included Inter Miami owners Jorge and José Mas and Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez.
Last year, Governor DeSantis signed a bill banning abortion after six weeks in Florida, while also pushing (unsuccessfully) for a law limiting diversity and race-based discussions in private workplaces.
Gov. DeSantis, an outspoken opponent of spending state money on sports facilities, announced Thursday that Florida will donate $8 million to Miami-Dade County to improve roads and other infrastructure around the stadium being built for Inter Miami.
The Herons’ temporary home is Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, but a 26,700-seat stadium is being built next to Miami International Airport on land leased from the city.
Jorge Mas said the $1 billion project is being financed with private funds.
The controversial photo shoot with DeSantis, who previously endorsed Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination after withdrawing himself, comes after Messi was asked to apologize for Argentina’s national team’s recent racism scandal.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez filmed a video from the team bus after Argentina beat Colombia in the Copa America final, in which members of the team could be heard singing a racist chant in reference to the French national team.
Messi is battling an ankle injury and has not played since the Copa America final on July 14.
The song, which made its unfortunate debut via fans at the 2022 World Cup, claims that all of France’s players were “all from Angola.”
And Argentina’s Undersecretary of Sports, Julio Garro, encouraged Messi – who is the team captain – to apologise afterwards.
Messi has not spoken publicly about the incident, while Fernandez has issued an apology.
The former, who usually remains silent on social issues, told La Garganta Poderosa magazine in 2020: “Inequality is one of the biggest problems in our society and we must fight to correct it as soon as possible.”
Messi has not played since July 14, when his Argentina team defeated Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America final.
He left the game with an ankle injury and has yet to return to action for Inter Miami, which nevertheless has a five-point lead in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Herons also defeated Toronto FC 4-3 in the League Cup Round of 32 on Thursday.
