19 January 2024 , 11:45
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Lionel Messi has enjoyed a Barcelona reunion since joining Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami, enjoying the chance to play with two of his favourite teammates again.
Messi's arrival at the David Beckham-owned club last summer transformed the fortunes of the team, winning the Leagues Cup – a midseason tournament played between American and Mexican teams – to deliver Miami's first piece of silverware just weeks after his arrival.
Miami were bottom of the Eastern Conference when Messi arrived and injuries for the Argentine derailed hopes of making a late run at the MLS playoffs. But the outlook for the team is much brighter with Messi and his former colleagues on board, opening as the early betting favourite to lift the MLS Cup title ahead of the start of the new season next month.
And the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has the privilege of playing with some of his best friends in the twilight of his iconic career. In an interview with Chinese outlet Titan Sports, the 36-year-old named his top-10 favourite teammates from throughout his career. Barca icon Gerard Pique and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe were surprise omissions from the list, with Messi instead naming the likes of Ronaldinho, Neymar, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Deco and Samuel Eto'o.
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Two Inter Miami players also made the cut: Sergio Busquets and new signing Luis Suarez. Spaniard Busquets signed soon after Messi and also made an immediate impact, solidifying the spine of a callow team that was out of its depth by providing invaluable nous and experience in the centre of the park.
Former Liverpool striker Suarez is yet to make his debut for Inter after signing as a free agent from Brazilian club Gremio in late December, but his reuniting with Messi – despite both being 36 years old – has the makings of a menacing strikeforce that will put fear into MLS defences.
Messi is relishing the chance to play with former Barca teammates Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez. (Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)Jordi Alba, who joined Inter Miami from Barcelona in July, did not feature in Messi's top-10, but the left-back has certainly made a big impact at DRV PNK Stadium, scoring a crucial goal in the Leagues Cup semi-final win over Philadelphia Union.
Inter Miami are back in action on Friday evening, playing their first pre-season friendly against the El Salvador international team. A warm-up game follows against MLS rivals FC Dallas on Monday before Messi and his teammates head to Saudi Arabia.
There they will take on Al-Hilal, who will be without Neymar due to his serious knee injury, on January 29. And on February 1, Messi will cross paths with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo for perhaps the last time when Inter take on Al-Nassr.
Games follow in Hong Kong and Japan before Messi welcomes his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys to DRV PNK Stadium for the final pre-season friendly. Their MLS campaign begins on February 22 against Real Salt Lake.