It’s a new experience for Lionel Messi in the USA. The Argentine captain chose to exit European soccer after a noteworthy career to a totally new home and a new language to adapt to. Nevertheless, Messi is avoiding homesickness. He is having some unique reunions in the MLS, not just with his teammates but also the rivals. And their next opponents’ CF Montreal’s coach has now reminisced about his time with the Inter Miami captain during his former club’s golden days.

The excitement to see Lionel Messi play on the pitch is too high for people turning up in Montreal. The same is the case with its French manager, Laurent Courtois, encountering him after ages. According to reports, Courtois recently stated, “I played against Messi in his prime in Spain, & he embarrassed me…We will try to show that we can compete against them,” suggesting how good Messi was back in the day. However, the Frenchman is confident of his team’s fighting intent against the in-form Inter Miami.

Courtois remembers the occasion he played against Leo, more than fifteen years ago. The Montreal boss played for the current Spanish Segunda Division club Levante from 2008 to 2011, which then competed in La Liga. He was one of the eleven who faced Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona in 2008 and lost 5-1, with LM10 scoring a goal in that game. Hence, Courtois was aware of the star’s heroics, although it was the only game he faced Lionel Messi on the pitch.

Meanwhile, tonight is another chance for Courtois to prove his team’s mettle against one of the best in the world. Montreal beat Miami 3-2 at their den recently, but that was in the absence of Lionel Messi due to his hamstring injury. But the challenge is to stop the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner, who will come on the back of 6 goal contributions last week. The player is making huge waves in Quebec even before the game has started.

Lionel Messi’s arrival in Montreal creates wild buzz

Fans in Canada have been eagerly waiting to see Lionel Messi since the beginning of the tournament. This was evident with the recent ticket prices averaging more than $465 for the game. However, the crowds became ecstatic when the star arrived at his hotel, the Ritz Carlton. Chants of Messi were heard as they stacked around the hotel to see the World Cup-winning skipper. Messi has created a trend of filling rivals’ stadiums with his presence.

However, despite such a craze, reports still suggest that the tickets for the game at Saputo Stadium haven’t been sold out. Overall, heavy surges have been reported in multiple areas, apart from ticket prices. An increase in TV and streaming viewership, sales of merchandise, and overall enthusiasm for soccer are being experienced. And with more than a year left in his contract, the soccer world is eager to see more magic for Lionel Messi.