The city of Miami will present the keys to the city to Lionel Messi in recognition of his exceptional contribution to world football, particularly for the impact of his signing with Inter Miami in 2023 following his stints at Barcelona and PSG.

Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, president of the AFA, confirmed this at an event held at the new AFA offices in Wynwood, Miami, and added that the ceremony to present Lionel Messi with the key to the city will take place after the Copa América final.

At Monday's event, attended by Commissioner Damián Partido and Chairman Oliver Gilbert, July 1st was proclaimed as "AFA Day" in Miami-Dade County.

Additionally, the AFA itself received the key to the city of Miami. AFA President Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia accepted this prestigious honor from Commissioner Damián Pardo.

"It's an honor for us to receive the keys to the city. We have established a base in Miami with a project that will extend over time," Tapia stated during the event.

In addition to Tapia, the event was attended by several World Cup champions from 1978 and 1986, such as Carlos Tapia, Omar Larrosa, Alberto Tarantini, and Daniel Bertoni.

The presentation of the keys to Messi highlights his impact not only as an athlete but also as a global icon who has inspired millions worldwide. This honor underscores Messi's special connection to the city of Miami and marks a significant milestone in his career and sporting legacy.

What is the Key to the City?

The key to the city is a symbolic honor bestowed upon distinguished individuals in recognition of their positive influence on the community or significant achievements in their respective fields.

The tradition of presenting keys as symbols of honor and trust dates back to antiquity. In the modern context of American cities, the key to the city is a common practice to honor distinguished personalities.

In some cases, the key to the city is honorary and does not necessarily confer any additional legal privileges or powers to the recipient. However, it remains a meaningful gesture of appreciation from the community.

A list full of distinguished citizens

Several prominent figures have received the keys to the city of Miami in recognition of their contributions and achievements. Some of them include:

• Pope Francis - Pope Francis received the keys to the city of Miami during his visit in September 2015.
• Nelson Mandela - In 1990, Nelson Mandela received the keys to the city of Miami Beach.
• Shaquille O'Neal - The former basketball player and media personality received the keys to the city of Miami in 2006.
• Pitbull - The famous rapper and singer Pitbull, known as "Mr. Worldwide," received the keys to the city of Miami in 2009.
• Gloria Estefan - The renowned Cuban-American singer and actress received the keys to the city of Miami in recognition of her cultural influence and philanthropy.
• Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - The actor and professional wrestler received the keys to the city of Miami in 2017 for his success in the entertainment industry and positive impact on the community.
• Muhammad Ali - The legendary boxer Muhammad Ali received the keys to the city of Miami Beach in recognition of his sports career and cultural impact.
• Gloria and Emilio Estefan - The couple received the keys to the city of Miami Beach in 2019 for their musical career and contribution to the Hispanic community in Miami.
• Celia Cruz - The famous Cuban singer received the keys to the city of Miami Beach in 1993 for her contribution to Latin music and cultural influence.