On the morning of Lionel Messi’s first official practice with his new Inter Miami teammates, Freddy Eraza Jr. and his father woke up before the sun rose. But Messi, 36, was already arriving when the Erazas got there, and they missed their opportunity for a keepsake. Four hours later, they still stood in the parking lot of the practice facility and stadium, sweating alongside dozens of fans in the sticky, 96-degree South Florida heat. It made sense to see many Argentina fans, jerseys and flags here because Messi led the country’s national team to World Cup glory in December, and because Florida has the largest Argentine community in the United States. But Messi disciples come from all over.

---

Persons: Lionel Messi’s, Freddy Eraza Jr, Messi Organizations: Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Barcelona, country’s, Argentine Locations: Fort Lauderdale, Fla, Florida, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, United States