A significant moment awaited as Inter Miami faced the New York Red Bulls. This match marked Messi‘s MLS league debut. Lionel Messi showcased his scoring prowess yet again. Having scored an impressive 11 goals in just 9 games, he has elevated Inter Miami’s performance to unprecedented heights. This has resulted in a rival star to heap massive praise on the Argentine.

Since La Pulga’s arrival, Inter Miami has been unstoppable, boasting a winning streak that has garnered enthusiasm from fans and teammates alike.

Rival star’s disgustingly positive praise for Lionel Messi

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s career has been marked by record-breaking feats, but his journey in the MLS has taken his excellence to the next level. From skyrocketing jersey sales, to consistently scoring goals in every match, Messi’s performance has been nothing short of exceptional. His remarkable displays have even prompted rival players to react in astonishment.

Erik Sviatchenko, the 31-year-old shot-stopper from the Houston Dynamo, in a recent interview, showered Messi with praise and described his skills as “absolutely disgusting.” He expressed, “Even though he’s 36 years old, he’s still absolutely disgusting, so it’s going to be great that we’re playing Inter Miami. There will be a run on, and there will be a lot of attention, so it will be absolutely fantastic to win the match.”

Houston Dynamo is gearing up to face Inter Miami in the U.S. Open Cup final on September 27. Sviatchenko previously encountered Messi twice when Celtic and Barcelona met in the Champions League in 2016. Despite Messi’s five-goal contributions in those matches, Sviatchenko eagerly looks forward to facing the Argentine star once again.

The 31-year-old stopper also acknowledged Messi’s impact on the MLS, stating that it’s a remarkable development for the league to have such a legendary player gracing its fields. He remarked, “It’s really cool. It’s great that Messi has come to the league and he’s just been burning up the pitch like he’s done in every other league so far.”

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Meanwhile, Messi’s impact on the MLS and soccer in the US has been nothing short of breathtaking.

Messi’s impact on soccer in the United States

Upon his high-profile arrival, some speculated that Messi’s time in the United States was merely a lucrative venture. However, he has quickly dispelled such assumptions. The Aregntine’s impact has been undeniable, with 11 goals in nine games for Inter Miami across all competitions. Notably, ever since his arrival, Miami has not lost a single game. The same side had been languishing at the bottom of the MLS table. 

His first 10 goals came in rapid succession, but his goal on his MLS debut sealed Inter Miami’s first league win since May. This victory propelled Inter Miami up the Eastern Conference standings. Narrowing the gap to the final playoff spot by a substantial margin of 11 points.

Lionel Messi’s presence has injected new life into Inter Miami’s performance. His exceptional contribution on the journey to the U.S. Open Cup finals has solidified his position as a game-changer. As the team advances in the tournament, the question lingers: Can the 36-year-old continue his remarkable form? What do you think?

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