In a thrilling development, Ghanaian-born Michael Appiah, a student at Florida International University (FIU), is set to join forces with global soccer sensation Lionel Messi at Inter Miami CF for the upcoming season. This exciting opportunity arises after Appiah was selected as the 82nd overall pick in the third round of the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft on Friday afternoon.
With his selection, Appiah becomes the 14th FIU men's soccer player to be drafted into the MLS, joining an elite group of accomplished Panthers. Notably, he follows in the footsteps of Stephen Afrifa, who was chosen eighth overall by Sporting Kansas City in the 2022 draft, marking the program's most recent MLS selection.
"It is truly a dream come true for someone like me, coming from a small village in Ghana, to have the opportunity to play for Inter Miami," Appiah said.
"The journey has been shaped by years of hard work, sacrifice, and the unwavering support of my family, coaches, and the community, all of which have played a vital role in helping me reach this significant milestone."
Appiah's standout 2024 campaign saw him feature in every match for FIU, starting 11 of 18 appearances. The forward showcased his attacking prowess, netting four goals - the second-highest tally on the team - and amassing eight total points.
Hailing from Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana, Appiah wasted no time making his mark at FIU. He scored his inaugural goal for the Panthers on August 29, finding the back of the net in a closely contested 2-1 defeat to No. 17 North Carolina.
Appiah's contributions proved pivotal in FIU's postseason push, as he delivered a crucial goal in the Panthers 3-1 upset victory over top-seeded Memphis in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) semifinals on November 14.
Appiah etched his name in the record books earlier this season, netting a stunning goal just 16 seconds into a matchup against Central Arkansas, thereby claiming the distinction of scoring the fastest goal in NCAA soccer this year.
By: Ibrahim Abubakar (Sheikh)
