Lionel Messi is ready to play his first recreation for Inter Miami on July 21 when the Main League Soccer aspect host Mexico’s Cruz Azul of their Leagues Cup opener.
Messi’s arrival is being hailed as “the seminal second” within the historical past of U.S. soccer as MLS aspires to be top-of-the-line leagues on the planet.
Nevertheless, Cruz Azul midfielder Erik Lira and his staff should not overawed by the event and can deal with it as simply one other recreation.
The Mexican additionally warned and stated, ‘So long as he has two legs and two eyes, he’s simply one other participant.’
“It’s a novel alternative. It’s a brand new match, we’ve to struggle for it,” the 23-year-old was quoted as saying by dailymail.co.uk.
“So long as he has two legs and two eyes, he’s simply one other participant,” he instructed reporters.
“However the reality is it’s simply one other recreation for us, (supervisor) Tuca Ferretti tells us that Messi is simply one other participant – clearly he’s a bit imposing, however we’re going to win,” he added.
In the meantime, Messi’s first recreation in a Miami jersey will probably be the most costly MLS recreation on file, Kyle Zorn, model supervisor at TickPick, instructed Reuters.
On June 9 2023, Messi had revealed that he’s about to make the transfer to Miami.
“I made the choice that I’m going to go to Miami,” Messi stated in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspapers.
“I nonetheless haven’t closed it 100%. I’m nonetheless lacking a number of issues, however we determined to go forward. If Barcelona didn’t work out, I wished to go away Europe, get out of the highlight and assume extra about my household.”
“After successful the World Cup and never having the ability to go to Barca, it was time to go to the U.S. league to expertise soccer another way and benefit from the day-to-day,” Messi stated.
“Clearly with the identical duty and want to wish to win and to at all times do issues properly. However with extra peace of thoughts.”
(With Reuters inputs)