Pep Guardiola has shared his verdict on Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami and the impact the Argentine has made on MLS.
The reigning Ballon d’Or holder completed the blockbuster switch to Florida last year, with Messi recently celebrating his one-year anniversary with Inter Miami, in which the Herons have won Leagues Cup and currently lead the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings.
Since Messi’s move to America, popularity in soccer has exploded, with MLS as big as it has ever been with other teams in the division now hopeful of leading Inter Miami’s example in being as ambitious as possible in their superstar signings.
And Messi’s former FC Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola, has now given his verdict on the forward’s move to MLS.
Guardiola in awe by Messi’s impact on MLS since Inter Miami move
Speaking to the press during Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the United States, Guardiola was full of praise for Messi after everything the Argentine has done since making the switch to Florida last year.
Whilst Messi’s age is starting to show this year, the 37-year-old has still arguably been the best player in MLS this season, with the forward in double digits for both goals and assists in just 12 league games.
And for Guardiola, Messi’s impact in America has been apparent for all to see, with the former PSG man leading Inter Miami and MLS into an exciting new era.
Guardiola said on the growth of soccer in America since Messi’s move to Inter Miami: “MLS has grown a lot in recent years, the impact of Messi coming here always helps, getting this kind of figure to play in MLS is a massive boost for the competition.”
Inter Miami and MLS aren’t even at their final form with Messi
Messi’s first 12 months in America have been nothing short of incredible, with the legendary athlete taking soccer to new levels that nobody would have expected in the years leading up to the Argentine’s arrival.
And the crazy part of this rollercoaster ride has been that Inter Miami and MLS as a whole aren’t even at the final form of what they can become with Messi in the league.
Indeed, if everything goes to plan, Messi will be around in MLS for two more years, and in that time, the league need to do everything to capitalize on the Argentine’s star power and to grow the league to as big as it can.