Lionel Messi is rightfully regarded as the greatest soccer player of all-time, with nobody coming close to what the Inter Miami player has achieved in the game.
An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner with the most titles won in the history of male soccer, Messi’s list of accomplishments and accolades are unlikely to be matched in the next 100 years, with the 37-year-old still going strong at Inter Miami.
Lauded by Andres Iniesta for making the move to MLS, Messi’s switch to the United States was viewed by many as a seismic transfer that could change how soccer is perceived in America, with the FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA World Cup all coming to the country in the next two years.
Yet Argentina legend Hugo Gatti has been critical of Messi moving to Inter Miami.
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Messi slammed for joining Inter Miami and moving to MLS
Speaking to La Nacion, the former goalkeeper criticized Messi’s move to America, with Gatti saying when asked if the Inter Miami captain could feature in the next FIFA World Cup: “He can get there, but he will be one less. Today he is already one less. He’s playing country-club soccer in the United States.”
With Messi playing a key role in Argentina’s Copa America win earlier this summer, the idea that the veteran attacker is no longer capable of playing at the highest level is nothing short of ridiculous from Gatti.
Moreover, Messi’s worldwide reputation and quality has played a crucial role in MLS growing as a league in 2024, with 2025 expected to be the biggest year in the division’s history with Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders taking part in the Club World Cup.
Indeed, Messi will be eager to silence a lot of critics when the 2026 World Cup rolls around, with Gatti’s comments towards the Inter Miami forward more than unjustified given all the attacker has done for Argentine in the last 20 years.
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Messi will have another mission on his agenda at Inter Miami next year
Eyebrows were raised when Messi opted to join Inter Miami just six months after winning the World Cup with Argentina, with the forward believed to have rejected a world-record contract offer from Saudi Arabia to make the move to MLS.
And with an Argentina legend in Gatti slamming Messi’s switch to Florida, the 37-year-old now has another mission to add to his agenda ahead of the 2025 season with Inter Miami, which could be a history one for the Herons.
MLS Cup and the Club World Cup are two objectives for Inter Miami under Javier Mascherano, and Messi will want to show just how good he still is and much quality his team actually has heading into the new year.
