“Like LeBron James Going Against the G League” – Despite Admiring $54,000,000 Arrival, ESPN’s Stephen A Smith Compares Lionel Messi’s MLS Competition to NBA’s Minor League

When Lionel Messi made his highly anticipated arrival in the United States, sporting his Inter Miami jersey, fans knew they were in for a treat. The iconic Argentine forward had just come off an incredible season, winning the FIFA World Cup with Argentina and the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain. However, not everyone rates Messi’s move to Major League Soccer (MLS) highly, including ESPN sports analyst Stephen A Smith.

In just three appearances for Inter Miami, Messi has already made a significant impact, scoring five goals and showcasing his exceptional talent on the field. His ability to captivate fans and create moments of brilliance has not gone unnoticed. But, Smith offers a different perspective and gave quite an interesting analogy while comparing the forward to LeBron James.

Lionel Messi is playing in the ‘G League of Soccer’ according to Stephen A. Smith

During a recent ESPN show, the focus turned to Inter Miami’s thrilling encounter against Orlando City in the Round of 32 of the League Cup. Messi’s two-goal performance played a pivotal role in Miami’s 3-1 victory, prompting both praise and hot takes from Smith.

Smith commended Messi’s skills, stating, “This is one of the greatest players ever, ever”. However, he also compared the level of competition in the MLS to the NBA’s minor league. “And he is playing in a G League of soccer,” the TV personality added. Despite Smith’s reservations about the MLS competition, he does express hope for the growth and development of the league.

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“The MLS, I’m quite sure it will grow. I’m rooting for it here in our country,” Smith said. He also acknowledged Messi’s $54 million move to Inter Miami saying, “I wish him nothing but the best. I love the acquisition of Messi. I hope it continues to flourish”. He then dropped the big bomb of how he remains unimpressed with Lionel Messi’s performance.

He equated Messi’s domination in the MLS to LeBron James playing against less challenging opponents. In his words, “But I don’t get excited seeing him do that against that competition. That’s like LeBron James going against the G League,” the analyst concluded. Interestingly, this is not the first time, Smith has given this kind of analogy. He shared the same ideology before Messi even joined the league.

Smith’s comments reflect a common sentiment among critics of MLS, who argue that the league is not at the same level as the top European competitions. Many believe that even at the age of 36, Messi still had the ability to play at the pinnacle of European soccer, making his move to the MLS somewhat of a downgrade.

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