After showcasing a new shirt, Lionel Messi assisted in the christening of a new ship.

Messi and his teammates were sent to the Port of Miami on Tuesday to commemorate Inter Miami’s relationship with the cruise line Royal Caribbean International. There, they participated in the customary naming of a new ship, the Icon of the Seas, in this case. With a length of 1,198 feet, the ship is the longest in the world when it formally sets sail this weekend.

Messi was the star of the show when he ”started” the custom of breaking a champagne bottle against the ship’s bow, which is meant to bring good fortune to the ship and her occupants, by placing a soccer ball atop a stand.

The eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or described it as a “privilege.”

Messi added in Spanish, “It’s a great honor for me and I know what it means for the city of Miami and the entire world.” I thus christen this vessel Icon of the Seas. May God grant you and everyone sailing with her blessings.

Inter Miami debuted their new black uniform for the 2024 campaign during a previous event held inside a theater on board the ship. To show the black jersey with the Royal Caribbean insignia across the chest and the team’s trademark pink trim, Messi and his teammates took off their pink zippered sweatshirts.

As part of their international preseason trip, Messi and Inter Miami depart later this week for Saudi Arabia and two games the next week. The first game is scheduled for January 29 against Al-Hilal, while the second is scheduled for February 1 against Al Nassr, which is home to Messi’s longstanding opponent Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, Ronaldo’s health is seriously compromised. Due to what the organizers referred to as Ronaldo’s “physical issues,” which included a calf injury that may take two weeks to recover, Al Nassr’s two scheduled matches in China this week were canceled.

This may imply that Ronaldo and Messi will not face off. Ronaldo expressed his regret to the fans at a press conference in China and emphasized that injuries were beyond his control.

In their 35 previous meetings between club and national team games, Messi’s teams have won 16 and Ronaldo’s teams have won 10, with the other nine times ending in a draw. In those games, Messi has twenty goals and one assist, while Ronaldo has twenty goals and one assist.