Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami 18 months ago, with the Argentina international since taking MLS by storm.
The 37-year-old has been key behind the Herons’ transformation from one of the worst teams into one of the best, with Messi leading Inter Miami to the Supporters’ Shield and a new regular-season points record.
With Andres Iniesta saying Messi looks happy at Inter Miami, the former FC Barcelona superstar seems to have found his team in the final years of his legendary career, even if this season ended with disappointment in the MLS play-offs.
And another Argentina legend, Mario Kempes, has shared which club Messi looks happier at between Inter Miami or Barcelona.
Messi ‘three times happier’ playing for Inter Miami than at Barcelona
Speaking to TNT Sports, Kempes claimed that Messi looked much happier in Florida with Inter Miami than at Barcelona, with the FIFA World Cup winner stating that the MLS superstar has fewer worries on his plate.
Kempes said: “Messi is three times happier playing in Inter Miami than at Barcelona, he is doing things very well. It’s not about coming in and having to be focused for the whole ninety minutes. He plays when he wants to.”
Away from the spotlight and clearly given free reign to play when he wants, Messi is enjoying the final years of his career to the absolute max in Florida with his family by his side, along with the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
And although Messi’s year ended in disappointment with an early MLS play-off exit, the forward still seems to be loving his life in America with Inter Miami, with 2025 shaping up to be a big year for the Argentine in the United States.
Messi will want to lay down his mark in America in 2025
2024 has been a mixed bag of a year for Messi, who despite winning the Supporters’ Shield with Inter Miami and the Copa America with Argentina will feel like he could have done more despite his age and growing injury concerns.
Which is why going into 2025, Messi will want to lay down his mark in the United States in a big way, with Inter Miami competing in the FIFA Club World Cup with the Herons likely to take part in the opening game.
Indeed, 2025 will be all about Inter Miami for Messi, and the 37-year-old attacker will want to push the Herons to the next level in MLS and beyond, with big things on the agenda for the Florida franchise next year.