Heat's Jimmy Butler reacts to Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami

Add Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler to the list of local pro athletes hyped for Lionel Messi to join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami this summer. 

"Obviously, he is one of the greatest players to play that beautiful game," Butler said about Messi during Thursday's NBA Finals media availability, per ESPN's Nick Friedell. "I'm so excited for the city of Miami, to be able to have a player of that caliber here. I'm excited for the city of Miami in so many different ways." 

On Wednesday, Messi announced his intentions to join Inter Miami amid numerous rumors and stories linking him with both Saudi Arabia and a potential return to Barcelona. Jorge Messi, Lionel's father and agent, revealed earlier in the week his son "would love to return to Barcelona," but it's believed the Catalan club couldn't have registered the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner at any point this summer due to financial problems similar to those that caused the 35-year-old to leave the Spanish giants as a free agent two years ago. 

"Now that he is here, I think all the football/soccer fans from all over the world are going to come here and get an opportunity to watch him compete," Butler continued during his comments about Messi. "I'm glad he is here."

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Wednesday that Messi's arrival to Miami will be "awesome," and Bleacher Report's Erin Walsh pointed out that Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill jokingly challenged the legendary footballer to a footrace. 

Tagovailoa, Hill, Butler and international football fans in South Florida all would do well to remember that Messi hasn't yet officially signed with MLS as he waits for his Paris Saint-Germain contract to expire at the end of this month: