Despite strong rumours linking Lionel Messi with a potential return to Barcelona during the summer transfer window, the Argentine superstar ultimately chose to join Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise owned by David Beckham.
Messi’s arrival in the United States has been highly impactful, revitalising the once-struggling MLS team.
He has already secured his first trophy with Inter Miami, winning the League Cup, and his on-field performance has been exceptional, tallying 11 goals and eight assists in 11 matches, according to Transfermarkt.
While Messi enjoys his time in the U.S., his former Barcelona teammate, Ter Stegen, has expressed disappointment that the eagerly anticipated reunion during the summer did not come to fruition.
However, Ter Stegen still holds onto hope that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner may return to the club in the future.
Nevertheless, the German goalkeeper still clings to the hope that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner might find his way back to the club in the future.
“He would certainly have been an asset for us,” ter Stegen told GOAL. “Maybe he’ll return in another role at some point. Barcelona is his club and will always be a big part of his life. Many people here are still in contact with him. A few players he was very close with are now in Miami with him.”
USMNT star hails Messi’s impact on MLS
It’s evident that Lionel Messi currently holds the spotlight as the most prominent figure in American soccer, and Christian Pulisic, a star of the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT), has praised Messi’s influence on the sport in the United States, as reported by Sports Brief.
Pulisic, in remarks made prior to the USMNT’s 3-0 triumph over Uzbekistan and as reported by ESPN, acknowledged that he has been closely following Messi since the Argentine superstar’s major arrival in the country.