In Focus: Messi still capable of lighting up Sunshine State
Lionel Messi's arrival looks set to take both Inter Miami and MLS to new heights.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner turned down a mind-boggling financial package in Saudi Arabia and several European giants in favour of a move stateside.
With excitement levels in the USA at fever pitch, we take a look at the situation Messi is entering and the kind of impact he is likely to have.
Rock bottom
Inter Miami are not exactly enjoying a successful season as things stand.
Since winning their opening two matches, Miami have lost 13 of their subsequent 16 outings — including their last seven straight.
That dire run cost ex-boss Phil Neville his job and sees them rooted to the foot of the Eastern Conference, with even a wild card round play-off spot looking beyond their reach this term.
Thankfully, MLS does not currently have a relegation system in place, so Messi will not find himself in a scrap for survival.
Early days
Inter Miami are only in their fourth full season as an MLS franchise, having joined the league in 2020.
Boasting David Beckham among its co-owners, the Florida club has never lacked a Hollywood feel and Messi's countryman Gonzalo Higuain was their first marquee addition back three years ago.
Though Higuain has since retired, their frontline still possesses star quality in the form of Josef Martinez.
The 30-year-old Venezuelan is a former MLS MVP and Golden Boot winner and is one of only 13 players in the league's history to pass the 100-goal mark.
Though Martinez has only managed four strikes so far this term, Messi's arrival may well reinvigorate him.
History lessons
Based on last season's statistics with Paris Saint-Germain, it is reasonable to assume that Messi could run riot in MLS.
His 16 goals and 16 assists in just 32 Ligue 1 appearances remains an outrageously high output for a playmaker supposedly in his career's final chapters.
And when looking back at other megastars who have made the move to MLS in years gone by, the omens are good.
Ex-England skipper Wayne Rooney notched an impressive 39 direct goal contributions in 52 games with DC United, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a whopping 53 times in 58 LA Galaxy outings.
The likes of Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba and David Villa also enjoyed prolific swansongs living the American dream.
All in the mind
Of course, much will depend on how seriously Messi intends to take things on the pitch with Inter Miami.
Speaking about his move, Messi said: "After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barcelona, it was time to go to the USA to experience football in a different way and enjoy the day-to-day.
"Obviously with the same responsibility and desire to want to win and to always do things well. But with more peace of mind."
Nobody could begrudge the 175-cap icon for taking things easy after almost two decades at the top of the game.
Yet Messi will also surely be determined to end his glittering career on a high, sprinkling some of his stardust across the Sunshine State.
