Lionel Messi-mania continues to rock the MLS ahead of its 2024 season as opposition coaches talked up the Argentina superstar on media day.
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Messi took MLS by storm after moving in from PSGInspired Miami to Leagues Cup victoryOpposition coaches can't keep calm about facing the ArgentineWHAT HAPPENED?
The 2022 World Cup winner is gearing up for his first full season in MLS and has been pictured sweating it out in the gym with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo. He played a key role in guiding his new club to their first-ever silverware in the Leagues Cup but an untimely injury kept him out in the final stretch of the league stage which contributed towards Inter Miami missing out on a place in the MLS play-offs.
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“Even as an opposition coach, everyone’s looking in the calendar for the Miami game,” Toronto coach John Herdman said.
“I mean, it’s a really exciting time for MLS to have the best player, in my opinion, who ever played the game in this league. The league has got some of the best facilities, some of the best fan bases, and now we’ve got the best player ever playing the game, so it’s the place to be.”
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi's presence has elevated MLS' global visibility, which is reflected in skyrocketing jersey sales, heightened ticket demand for Inter Miami matches, and increased league attendance. And Charlotte FC coach, Dean Smith, believes that Argentina's World Cup triumph further fuelled the craze for Messi in the United States.
"As soon as he came to MLS, there was interest, interest from supporters, interest from coaches from all around the world," said the new Charlotte FC coach. “And that’s not going to lessen. He was lifting the World Cup only 14, 15 months ago. It was a big coup for the league and it certainly, I think, changed everybody’s aspects on the MLS now.”
DID YOU KNOW?
It will be a demanding 2024 season for 36-year-old Messi as Inter Miami are set to participate in several domestic and continental competitions including the Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup, CONCACAF Champions Cup — and the 34-game MLS regular season. Moreover, the likes of Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets are in the twilight of their career. However, New York Red Bulls midfielder Emil Forsberg is still not ready to write off the Herons.
"I mean, when you look at those four players and what they’ve achieved together, it’s hard to say they’re not favourites," he said.
"Fantastic team, fantastic players. And they know what to do and how to win. … I would also say a little bit that Miami are the favourites when you look at the players they have.”