Carlos Vela, the star player for Los Angeles FC (LAFC), has issued a warning to Lionel Messi following the confirmation of the Argentine superstar's move to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami.

Vela emphasized that while Messi's arrival in MLS is a positive development for the growth of football in the country, it will not change the fact that LAFC remains the favorites for the league title.

Last week, Messi officially announced that he would be joining Inter Miami following the conclusion of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain on June 30.

Despite being linked with other clubs such as Barcelona and Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Messi explained that he sought peace of mind, which influenced his decision to choose Miami.

The player, who was heavily linked with both Barcelona and Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, later revealed that he wanted more peace of mind, which propelled him to choose Miami over others.

Vela, who plies his trade at LAFC since joining from Real Sociedad in 2018, welcomed Messi’s arrival but remains confident about his team’s chances of winning silverware. Speaking to US TV channel TUDN, the Mexican said:

“It's great news for MLS, but I still think that we are still the ones who want to win the title. It doesn't matter who is on the other teams. Plans don't change.”

LAFC find themselves in the third spot in the Western Conference table, are the current MLS Cup holders. Inter Miami, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference rankings.

The MLS’s transfer window opens on July 5, meaning that Inter Miami will not be able to register Messi before then. If he is registered as soon as the window opens, Messi could play his first MLS game against Wayne Rooney’s DC United on July 9.

Vela vs Messi in Spain

According to Whoscored, Carlos Vela and Lionel Messi faced each other 16 times during their time together in Spain, across La Liga and Copa del Rey.

The Mexican, who faced Messi once as an Osasuna player and 15 times as a Real Sociedad man, lost 10 times and won only on four occasions.

During Vela’s stint at Sociedad, between 2012 and 2018, Messi scored 13 goals against La Real in 18 games across competitions.

The pair faced each other in international colours as well. Messi’s Argentina beat Mexico 4-1 in a friendly in 2008, with Messi scoring once.

In 2015, they played another friendly, playing out to a 2-2 draw. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was on the scoresheet that time as well.

Vela has stated that while Messi joining MLS is excellent news for the country’s footballing culture, Inter Miami will not dethrone LAFC as league-title favourites.

Suarez speaks on joining Messi

Earlier Sports Brief reported Luis Suarez’s thoughts on joining Messi in the MLS.

The forward dismissed suggestions he could reunite with fellow former Barcelona team-mate Lionel at Inter Miami.

The 36-year-old moved to Gremio at the turn of the year and clearly has no desire of leaving.