Cultural Impact of Lionel Messi Joining Inter Miami

“I felt like I was closer to home,” says Camila Ramón, Argentinian athlete and Peloton instructor, after attending an Inter Miami game earlier this summer. Ramón, who was born in Argentina and migrated to Miami, explains that while Messi is everyone’s star player, at home he’s “like God.” Before Messi’s debut and after the announcement of his signing, she recalls benches of the DNV Pink Stadium packed with Argentinians already awaiting Messi’s arrival and the nostalgic feeling of being back home. With predominantly large groups of Cuban, Haitian, and Colombian migrants, as well as other groups from all across Latin American and the Caribbean — Florida’s anti-immigration government doesn’t stand a chance against our pride and presence.