Lionel Messi speaks: On living in South Florida, reforming Inter Miami | D'Angelo

FORT LAUDERDALE — Lionel Messi's first official news conference since single-handedly transforming soccer into the trendy sport in South Florida was held in a cramped, humid room on the ground floor of the stadium he has ignited.

Upon entering the room, the global superstar was handed an Inter Miami pink jersey, which he held up, his No. 10 prominent for the cameras. Wearing a black Adidas pullover with the Inter Miami logo on the left chest, Messi spoke for 18 minutes to about 80 media members. Questions were asked in English and Spanish — those in English translated through an earpiece — and answered in Spanish only.

Messi was comfortable and smiled throughout, which went along with the theme of the news conference.

"I really do feel very happy, like I already said several times," he said. "I chose to come here, I wanted to be here. It's a decision we made with time. It wasn't something we decided from one day to the next. We are where we want to be. It's a decision we made (and) that makes everything much easier, much simpler.

"Right now, I'm very happy."

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Yes, Lionel Messi, the man who now has achieved everything he dreamed of after leading Argentina to a World Cup victory in December, is right where he wants to be at age 36. The Argentine, who left Europe after an unsatisfying two seasons in Paris, is transforming Inter Miami, an irrelevant franchise for the last half-decade even with David Beckham as the celebrity owner, into the summer's blockbuster hit.

And it's easy for Messi to smile. After signing a reported $150 million contract, all he has done, with a little help from a couple of his friends from Barcelona, is turn the worst team in the MLS into possibly the best and the most popular.

Think 13 years ago when LeBron James arrived to join the Miami Heat.

"From the very beginning it's been an impressive welcome," Messi said. "There are plenty of Latinos in this city and that makes everything easier as well. Latinos are close, more demonstrative. they demonstrate affection, closeness and I think that's the most important thing."

Winning arrived along with Messi

Well, that and winning. And winning is all Messi has known since taking the pitch for the first time at DRV PNK Stadium.

Inter Miami is undefeated since Messi arrived, winning six matches in the Leagues Cup tournament after going winless in its previous 11 in MLS play.

Miami has scored 21 goals in those six matches, one fewer than it netted in the first half of the MLS season. Messi's left boot has accounted for nine goals since his arrival and at least one in each game.

Now, Inter Miami is one match from winning the first title in franchise history. Miami plays at Nashville Saturday for the Leagues Cup championship.

"Ever since the competition started we knew that we would be starting from scratch because there was a new coach, like myself, other new players," Messi said. "From the beginning, we've done very well because of (his teammates). We knew there would be an opportunity to change things because of what the results had been.

"We have to continue to grow. Not be happy with what we've done but continue to aim higher."

And what would a title mean for Inter Miami?

"It would be incredible for me and for everyone; the fans, for the club," he said. "It's a club that wants to continue to grow, wants to achieve big changes, wants to be a point of reference. When you win titles, that would help. It would be impressive.

"It's a very young club. They haven't been around very long. To get our first title, that would be wonderful."

Win or lose, Messi would not be done. Not even close. Inter Miami will go from the Leagues Cup back to MLS play seeking to climb the standings and make the playoffs.

The MLS season, where the pre-Messi Inter Miami dug itself quite a hole, resumes Aug. 26. Miami is last in the Eastern Conference, 12 points out of the final playoff spot, and will have to pass six teams with 12 games remaining.

Yet, Miami is the fourth favorite to win the championship in most sports books, anywhere from 6-to-1 to 9-to-1.

"When I got here, I was very excited, big expectations, very happy, hoping to achieve results like I've been able to do in my athletic career," he said.

"We believed we were capable to achieve what we (achieved)."

Eyeing home in Palm Beach County

Messi owns at least one residence in Miami and has enjoyed vacationing in the area for many years. He said living in the United States is something he "always had in mind." He turned down hundreds of millions to play in Saudi Arabia.

As for the move, he still is "adapting" and continues to look for a "permanent" home, which could be in Boca Raton or Delray Beach, which would add to an impressive list of sports royalty living in the county. The Palm Beach Post reported Messi's representatives contacted a Boca Raton-based luxury real estate agent asking for suggestions on properties in the area.

And Messi is enjoying his life, both from a personal and athletic standpoint, as much as at any time in his career. Everything he achieves now is icing, especially after checking off the one glaring box remaining when Argentina defeated France on penalty kicks in the World Cup final eight months ago.

Not even winning seven Ballon d'Or awards as the best player in the world meant as much to Messi.

And now he has more trophies to chase but without the stress.

"Throughout my career I said many times, while (the Ballon d'Or) is a very significant recognition, a very nice individual trophy, I never thought it was important. What was important to me was group awards, to achieve things as a group.

"My greatest reward has been met and I'm enjoying this. I achieved my goals throughout my career and I have goals with this club to win titles."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lionel Messi happy with South Florida life, Inter Miami's turnaround