Lionel Messi may have changed the fortunes of Inter Miami, but he has also lit up the entire MLS. The American League is experiencing a surge in interest in soccer among fans after his arrival. However, more surprisingly, it looks like even Messi’s rivals cannot believe the transformation they are experiencing. After a former New York Red Bulls striker said that ‘he can’t be stopped,‘ another current player shared his testimony about playing against Messi. And this time, he even claims it is out of the world.
MLS may have had world-class players like David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimović, but Messi gives the rivals sleepless nights. According to Real Salt Lake defender Emeka Eneli, he couldn’t fathom playing alongside the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner. In an interview, he said, “Like a fever dream honestly. Even looking back at it right now, I still really can’t believe it.“ In fact, Eneli is getting popular among fans in the USA with his brilliant athletics. And with experience of playing against such stars will only motivate him to do better.
Real Salt Lake opened this season’s campaign against Inter Miami at the Chase Stadium, giving the youngster to play with an elite attack, including Luis Suarez. Losing the game 2-0, the Utah team may have moved on, but the defender cannot. He further said, “It’s almost been two or three months since it happened. I still think about it, you know, when I go to sleep at night. And so it felt surreal, and I’m just glad I had the chance to experience that,” about his incredible run till now.
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Meanwhile, the 24-year-old also had another first-of-a-kind experience, scoring his maiden goal in the MLS. But he will be more eager to do the unthinkable when he gets a chance to stop Messi in RSL’s home fixture against Miami.
Can opponents in the MLS stop Lionel Messi’s juggernaut?
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Despite fans missing Lionel Messi on the pitch, a player from the opposition may have been happier to meet him off the field. Sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Inter Miami captain is still helping Miami top the Eastern Conference table. Beckham’s club hadn’t lost a single league game when he played. Subsequently, former superstar Bradley Wright-Phillips, claimed, “Ultimately what we’re seeing is, he can’t be stopped,“ citing that the only way to put a break is by depriving him of receiving the ball.
Overall, it looks like Messi has been getting more attention than he would have anticipated in the States. However, the former Barcelona player’s first aim will be to take Inter Miami to an MLS title. But whether he will keep up with the expectations of the crowd or not, only time will reveal.