Credit: Twitter
The arrival of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami has sparked a lot of excitement and admiration among soccer fans in South Florida, but also some resentment and hostility from rival supporters. The latest evidence of this is the vandalism of the Vice City 1896 mural welcoming Messi to their club and city.
The mural was covered with purple paint by unknown perpetrators, presumably fans of Orlando City, which has purple color as its signature hue. The ultras of the club are known for their passionate and sometimes violent support of their team, which plays in Major League Soccer. Apart from Orlando City, there is another Miami club, Miami FC that competes in the USL championship, which is effectively the second-tier soccer category.
Orlando City could meet Inter Miami in the round of 32 in the Leagues Cup and Inter Miami will be looking for revenge. The mural was one of several that have popped up in Miami since Messi announced his decision to join Inter Miami last month, after rejecting offers from Barcelona and Saudi Arabia.
Messi signed a record-breaking contract with Inter Miami, worth $54 million per season for four years. This was not the first act of hostility towards the legend in the US as MLS team St. Louis City SC has banned all Lionel Messi merchandise from its supporter's section at their City Park stadium.
Messi has already made his mark in the US after just two games at the MLS side Inter Miami after an extra-time match-winning freekick in his first game and a brace and an assist against Atlanta United in their second Leagues Cup game. Inter Miami and Messi will now be in action against Charlotte on August 21.
