03 September 2023 , 07:00
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Former Arsenal star Carlos Vela will be tasked with supplying the firepower as his Los Angeles FC side look to stop Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in their tracks.
The Mexican hotshot is one of MLS' best goalscorers in recent times, having struck 78 times in 143 appearances since moving stateside. The current MLS Cup holders will represent a stern test for the Herons' mettle as the two sides face off on September 4.
Messi and his teammates have been a force to be reckoned with following the Argentine's arrival in the US and are unbeaten in ten outings. During that recent purple patch, the Floridan franchise's blockbuster new additions inspired the team to glory in the Leagues Cup.
The clash between these two clubs is one of the most eye-watering MLS fixtures of the season so far. And, as the club's leading light, Vela will essentially be billed as the potential party-pooper as Miami come to town.
The 34-year-old, though, holds Messi in extremely high regard. Unlike a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
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"Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] did dominate, but he didn't win anything. [Lionel] Messi has won in less time, they are not things that can be compared because they are different players, in different situations.
"I would be surprised if [Messi] played badly. It doesn't matter where in the world, when you're the best player, whatever league you go to, you're going to be fine. When you are the best, it doesn't matter where you go. The question that would surprise me is if he doesn't score goals, or if he doesn't make plays, that would surprise me."
Ibrahimovic was once compared to Vela by observers ahead of clashes with city rivals LA Galaxy - something that annoyed the Swedish forward. And the former Manchester United, Barcelona, Inter Milan and AC Milan striker openly voiced his discontent in being mentioned in the same breath as the LAFC man.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic spent two years at LA Galaxy and has credited his spell in the MLS with helping him to feel 'alive' after a horrific knee injury. (Shaun Clark/Getty Images)"Please do not offend me, I don't need to prove nothing, even if I don't score the goals today," he said.
"I have a lot of respect for [Carlos] Vela, he's a good player, but you did one mistake, you [the media] compared him with me, that was your biggest mistake."