- Lionel Messi and Governor Ron DeSantis reportedly met on Thursday
- DeSantis announced state is donating $8 million to Miami-Dade County
Inter Miami fans are furious after Lionel Messi had his picture taken with Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday.
The photo, which also featured Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas and Florida Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez, was posted on Jorge’s X page – and was not well received by some.
“What a terrible message, keep Fútbol free from politics,” a wrote‘Shameful.
‘Make our [goat] “A political tool,” said another.
“If the owners of the company are scammers, that’s no surprise,” someone else added.
Inter Miami fans angry after Lionel Messi posed with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Governor DeSantis announced that the state would give $8 million to Miami-Dade County to improve roads and other infrastructure around the stadium being built for Inter Miami.
“Unfollowed,” another fan added.
Messi is also reported to have met with Governor DeSantis at 5:45 p.m. the politician’s schedule.
Last year, Governor DeSantis signed a bill banning abortions after six weeks in Florida, while also (unsuccessfully) pushing through a law limiting diversity and race-based discussions in private workplaces.
Governor 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 they have leased from the city.
Jorge Mas said the $1 billion project will be privately financed.
The controversial photoshoot with DeSantis, who previously supported Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination after withdrawing, comes after Messi was asked to apologize for the recent racism scandal in the Argentina national team.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez filmed a video from the team bus after Argentina defeated Colombia in the Copa America final. The video showed team members singing a racist song referring to the French national team.
Messi has been struggling with an ankle injury and has not played since the Copa America final on July 14.
The song, which was unfortunately first heard by fans at the 2022 World Cup, claims that all the French players “were all from Angola”.
And Argentina’s deputy sports minister, Julio Garro, encouraged Messi, the team captain, to apologize afterwards.
Messi has not spoken publicly about the incident, but Fernandez has apologised.
The first, who is usually silent on social issues, told the magazine La Garganta Poderosa in 2020: “Inequality is one of the biggest problems of our society and we must do something about it as soon as possible.”
Messi has not played since July 14, when his Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America final.
He was forced off the field with an ankle injury and has not yet played for Inter Miami, who nevertheless hold a five-point lead atop the Eastern Conference standings.
The Herons also defeated Toronto FC 4-3 in the Leagues Cup round of 16 on Thursday.