“If You Think Messi Is a Normal Player, It’s a Huge Mistake” – Having Faced Lionel Messi, Rival Star Gives a Reality Check to the MLS World

It is safe to say that everyone is still Starstruck by the arrival of Lionel Messi in the US. Within the span of just three games, the impact that he has had is simply phenomenal. Recently, a veteran defender from the MLS stated that he wasn’t surprised looking at the World Cup winner’s impact. Instead, he claimed that anyone who was actually surprised had probably not watched soccer for the last fifteen years.

Just hours ago, Inter Miami faced Orlando City in the first knockout round of the Leagues Cup. The Argentine soccer legend’s team strolled to victory with a 3-1 win while two goals were from the veteran himself.

An unsurprised Chiellini predicts the MLS will get physical to stop Lionel Messi

The veteran defender who spoke highly of Messi was none other than Giorgio Chiellini. The Italian soccer legend has faced the World Cup winner multiple times in the past. Italy and Argentina last faced each other in 2022. The Argentines comfortably won that game 3-0. In fact, the former Barcelona veteran’s national team has won all three fixtures against Itay in the last decade.

While Chiellini is very well aware of Messi’s impact, he was quick to give everyone in America a slight reality check. In a recent interview, he stated that he wasn’t surprised at all after looking at the Argentine. He continued, “I think they have to do something better in a way to try to contain Messi. If you think Messi is a normal player, it’s a huge mistake.”

“It means you have not seen him for the last 15 years and you cannot understand what happened. The last two games, yeah seems less than a friendly game. I think that Messi will continue to make the difference.” He then anticipated that soccer in America could get much more physical in an attempt to contain the soccer legend.

Chiellini continued, “I expect it in the next week, a little bit of more troubles but not real troubles. More impact, more fouls, trying to do something more to play against them.”

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Without a doubt, Messi is running the show at the moment. He has already scored five goals in his first three games. Inter Miami looks like a completely different team now.

Lionel Messi’s short-term and long-term impact

Before Messi’s arrival, this season was a forgettable nightmare for Inter Miami. As per the league standings, they’re currently at the bottom of the table. They were on a ten-game winless streak. But in the last two weeks, everything seems completely different. With a new head coach in place too, the former Barcelona trio of Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba will undoubtedly strive for even higher.

The Argentine soccer veteran signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Miami-based club. From the looks of it, he will continue in the US till the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His presence in the country will help convince bigger names to opt for a soccer career in the US rather than in Europe.

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What do you think about Chiellini’s verdict on and about Lionel Messi? Let us know in the comments below.