In a dazzling ceremony held at the AquaDome of the Icon of the Seas, Lionel Messi, recognized as the most decorated footballer in history, took part in the christening of Royal Caribbean's new ship. The event marked the partnership between Inter Miami and Royal Caribbean International, unveiling the world's largest cruise ship to date, measuring 365 meters in length.

The ceremony, held at the Port of Miami, was attended by Messi and his teammates, who participated in the traditional christening ceremony for a new ship. Messi, the focal point of the occasion, placed a soccer ball on a platform to initiate the traditional smashing of a champagne bottle against the ship's bow—a gesture symbolizing good luck for the vessel and its passengers.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner expressed his honor, stating, "It's a great honor for me, and I know what it means for the city of Miami and for the whole world. So, I name this ship Icon of the Seas. God bless you all and the people who will sail with it."

Messi was appointed as the "icon," beyond the wordplay, of the Icon of the Seas, a title highlighting his status as an iconic figure in the world of sports. The marketing director, Kara Wallace, praised the name choice, emphasizing that Messi is truly an "icon of icons."

Only Royal Caribbean International offers a venue like the AquaDome, housing its exclusive AquaTheater, an engineering marvel. The event included impressive performances, with artists emerging from the pool and flying around the dome, and Scotland's Red Hot Chili Pipers providing entertainment with bagpipes, drums, and electric guitars.

Designed to be the world's best family vacation, Icon of the Seas is the result of seven years of dreaming and creation, according to Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. Bayley described it as the company's "greatest dream come true" and "truly an engineering marvel."

Royal Caribbean Group's president and CEO, Jason Liberty, hailed Icon as a "revolutionary product that transcends the limits of human ingenuity," highlighting over 50 years of innovation.

The ceremony paid tribute to Royal Caribbean's founder, Ed Stefan, and thanked the Meyer family, seventh-generation shipbuilders, for their pioneering role in the industry.

Ultimately, the success of the Icon of the Seas was attributed to the hard work of a dedicated team, and Messi concluded the ceremony by blessing the ship and participating in the symbolic champagne bottle launch that sealed the cruise's prosperous destiny.