Messi is predicted to score 3 goals per game in MLS.

American midfielder Alvaro Barreal of Cincinnati, Argentina, predicts that his compatriot Lionel Messi will quickly integrate into Inter Miami and could score three to four goals per game in MLS.

"Messi is completely different from the rest," Barreal said on the Argentinian sports channel TyC Sport . "Inter Miami are clearly struggling this season. It might be a little difficult for Messi, but I think he will be able to score three or four goals per game."

Former Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig once warned that the MLS is highly competitive, not a place for Messi to "retire." Nashville's US national team center-back Walker Zimmerman suggested that Inter Miami's opponents would be further motivated to contest, steal the ball, or intercept passes from the Argentinian star. England legend Wayne Rooney recently issued a similar warning.

Messi on the training ground with Inter Miami on July 19. Photo: Inter Miami — Messi on the training ground with Inter Miami on July 19. Photo: *Inter Miami*

However, Barreal believes his senior teammate won't have much trouble with opposing defenders. "When a star comes to MLS, he makes a lot of noise, but not Messi," the 22-year-old winger added. "I don't know if we can trouble Messi. Of course, we all try to mark the best player on the opposition, because they are different."

After Messi, Inter Miami also recruited Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – the duo who left Barca this summer – on free transfers. "These three former Barca players are monsters who will help Inter Miami a lot. I just hope they don't recruit anyone else," Barreal said with a laugh.

Barreal rose through the ranks of the Velez Sarsfield youth academy and was promoted to the first team in 2018, before moving to Cincinnati in the US in 2020. Over three seasons, he scored nine goals in 59 appearances across all competitions. The player born in 2000 admitted it took him time to adapt to both the league and the new club, but doesn't believe Messi will have the same problem. "I find the MLS has less technical skill but more running," Barreal stated. "Messi will adapt very quickly and will enjoy it. I think Messi will do well in the MLS."

Inter Miami announced a two-and-a-half-year contract with Messi on July 15th, before unveiling the Argentine superstar in a grand ceremony called "The Unveil" the following day. Not only fans, but even the Inter Miami players themselves were scrambling to buy tickets to watch the ceremony live with their families at DRV PNK.

Inter Miami unveils Messi. — Messi made his debut for Inter Milan on July 16th.

Inter Miami defender DeAndre Yedlin revealed that teammate Leonardo Campana messaged the team's WhatsApp group asking for tickets and received a reply from Messi. "I didn't even know Messi had been added to the group, but he immediately asked Campana how many tickets he needed," Yedlin recounted. "That surprised me, considering Messi had only known Campana for about three days, and it's a great, fresh example of Messi's generosity."

Messi is scheduled to play his first League Cup match against Cruz Azul on the evening of July 21st in Washington. Ticket prices for this game have been pushed up to a maximum of $10,000, according to Diario AS .

Hong Duy

Source link