13 June 2023 , 16:05
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USMNT legend Alexi Lalas has predicted that the signing of Lionel Messi can help to take David Beckham's Inter Miami to unprecedented levels.
The signing of the Argentinian icon is undoubtedly the biggest signing in MLS history, with the stunning deal taking him to Florida likely to have a transformational impact for the sport stateside. In fact, not since the arrival of Beckham himself at LA Galaxy back in 2007 has the country been swept away by the intrigue surrounding a signing.
The 35-year-old rock star-like status will likely help to catapult the popularity of football in the country, with the deal perfectly timed to provide a catalyst ahead of the World Cup in 2026, which will be held in the US. The competition was last held there in 1994 and the potential of the effects of Messi's arrival have not been lost on the breakout star of the USMNT from that tournament.
Lalas, who won 96 caps for the US, served as the President of the LA Galaxy between 2006 and 2008, overseeing the signing of Beckham in the middle of his tenure in 2007. Now, he has spoken of the possibility of Inter Miami becoming a 'super club', with the signing of Messi potentially providing this springboard.
He contends that the Herons could well become the equivalent of a 'Death Star' — which is, of course, a reference to Star Wars — with the franchise potentially able to become the league's biggest in the coming years. He does forecast, however, that opposition players will not let Messi and his teammates have an easy ride.
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Speaking to TMZ, the former USMNT star said: "We're already seeing incredible names now being linked to coming to Inter Miami. It's almost as if they're in the process of potentially creating this MLS super club Death Star, and the hate-watching is going to be absolutely epic!"
He jokingly added: "I know if I was on another team -- a less sexy team, for example -- and Miami was doing all of this, and one of the greatest to ever play is there, I would want to kick his ass."
Indeed, with the departing Paris Saint-Germain ace due to join Inter Miami next month, speculation has abounded that a host of stars could well join him in the Sunshine State. In fact, with former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba having departed the Camp Nou this summer, they could be the latest superstars to join Beckham's club, according to TyC Sports.
As it stands, however, the franchise does already have three designated players in the form of Josef Martinez, Rodolfo Pizarro, and Gregore. This means that their deals may need to be renegotiated or they will likely need to be sold to accommodate any players who sign contracts worth in excess of the MLS salary cap.