Months after his World Cup victory in Qatar, Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the best soccer player in the world, made a surprising decision. Instead of spending his remaining years in a highly competitive European league, Messi chose to join Inter Miami, the weakest team in Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Eastern Conference.
Miami, a city known for its passion for soccer, eagerly embraced Messi’s arrival. Murals of Messi wearing Inter Miami colors appeared throughout the city, and tickets to watch him play in their temporary stadium in Fort Lauderdale quickly sold out. Even a viral image of Messi grocery shopping created a buzz.
Since his arrival, Messi has delivered exceptional performances. In just four games, he has already scored seven goals, some of them defying the laws of physics as he does so often. What’s more impressive is that he has achieved this success with a group of players who had previously struggled to work together as a team.
But Messi has done more than just perform on the field; he has shown immense respect for MLS. At the age of 36, he could have approached his contract with Inter Miami as a comfortable retirement. After all, he had won every major trophy with Barcelona and secured seven “golden ball” awards for being the best player in the world. Last year, he even led Argentina to victory in the World Cup, showcasing his incredible talent.
Considering his extensive list of accomplishments, one might wonder what drove Messi to play for an emerging franchise in the United States. But he has embraced the challenge with unmatched effort and competitiveness. While other aging stars have treated MLS as a lucrative final stop in their careers, Messi has approached it as an opportunity to elevate the league’s status.
After scoring a game-winning goal in his first match against Cruz Azul, Messi has played almost every minute of his next four games. Rather than relying on his teammates to do the work, he has tirelessly run, pressed opponents, and demanded the ball. He has even shown his fiery side, clashing with opponents and arguing with referees, treating each game with the same intensity he gave to crucial matches with Barcelona.
By showcasing his full range of talents, Messi not only fulfills the expectations of his contract with Inter Miami but also grants MLS a level of significance and stature it has been striving for since its inception. After years of struggling to gain attention, MLS first gained prominence with David Beckham’s arrival at LA Galaxy in 2007. It comes as no surprise that Beckham, who is a co-owner of Inter Miami, played a crucial role in bringing Messi to the league. Now, Messi seems determined to prove that soccer in the United States is ready for its next big leap.
While MLS’s best players may still fall short compared to those from the world’s top leagues, Messi’s brilliance injects energy and excitement into the game, opening up the possibility for anything to happen.
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