Lionel Messi given damning verdict of MLS standard before Inter Miami unveiling
Lionel Messi has been told Major League Soccer is comparable to La Liga 2 as he gears up for his Inter Miami debut.
On Saturday, Inter Miami officially announced the signing of Messi by showcasing the forward donning the club’s pink shirt with the number 10 displayed on the back. The 36-year-old reportedly signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the MLS franchise, keeping him with the club through 2025.
As part of his contract, Messi will reportedly receive a compensation package that includes part of Apple TV’s revenue generated by MLS Season Pass as well as a share of Adidas profits from his arrival. He helped lead Paris-Saint Germain to Ligue 1 glory last season - and former USMNT star Brad Friedel suggested the level will be below what Messi is accustomed to.
“It’s really hard to compare the MLS to any standard of English football because the style is so different,” Friedel said to OLBG. “The Championship for example is a midweek to weekend slog throughout the season, especially in those dreary winter months.
“They are percentage games, it’s a test of endurance over a 46-match season. There are some great teams in the Championship.
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“But over here it’s a melting pot of cultures, there are a lot of players from central and south America. You have a lot of players raised in America, in Florida, Texas and southern California, which is very Latin based in culture and style of football. So it would be easier to compare it to Portugal or a Spanish style of football.
“Spain might be a better comparison, so I would say it’s like La Liga 2. But we’re getting better and better.”
The announcement came ahead of the game between David Beckham ’s franchise and St. Louis City, who lead the Western Conference while the Herons are bottom of the Eastern Conference. City secured a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Samuel Adeniran, Tim Parker, and Eduard Lowen, ensuring Miami remain 15th with a dismal 5-3-14 record.
Lionel Messi is heading to MLS as a World Cup champion after he led Argentina to glory in Qatar last year (Getty Images)Messi will look to try and inspire Miami to playoff success, although they sit 12 points adrift with D.C. United in ninth - the final possible playoff opportunity. Friedel believes the addition of the Argentine will undoubtedly help Miami push on and find form, despite their tough start to the season.
“Inter have some good players, even if they have had a difficult season,” Friedel added. “Leonardo Campana is a good player, Ian Fray is good, Gregore is good. But if you sprinkle in Messi and maybe two others, you have a team that is very good. Not many will stop Messi. The better teams have figured out how to keep their best players and use their allocation money the wisest.
“In the academies there are some really good players coming through, and we finally have a really decent foot in the transfer market. Plus clubs are selling too, you can’t just buy, you have to sell well.”
Messi will be officially unveiled before fans alongside fellow new signing Sergio Busquets at Miami’s DRV PNL Stadium on July 16. The pair know each other well from their time together at Barcelona, and both men could make their debut against Mexico’s Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup on July 21.
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