Lionel Messi's highly anticipated debut for Inter Miami has sparked immense excitement among football fans as the Argentine football icon arrived in South Florida amidst a wave of fanfare.
Club co-owner Jorge Mas set high expectations for Messi, describing him as "America's number 10" and predicting that his presence would revolutionize football in the United States.
However, due to spending quality time with his family on vacation, Messi only began rigorous training this week, raising doubts about whether he will start in the opening game of the Leagues Cup, a tournament that unites teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham revealed that Messi would play "some part of the game." Coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, an Argentine compatriot who previously coached Messi during their time at Barcelona, hinted that the football legend might begin the match on the bench.
Decisions regarding Messi's involvement will be made after Friday's training session, with Coach Martino acknowledging the challenge of managing the lofty expectations surrounding the player's debut.
Fans, having paid a substantial amount for tickets, can expect Messi to feature at some point during the match, even if not in the starting lineup. Cruz Azul's coach, Ricardo Ferretti, lightheartedly remarked that he wouldn't mind if Messi didn't play but acknowledged the immense draw and excitement that Messi brings to the game.
Ferretti stressed that football is a team sport, and Inter Miami should not solely be perceived as Messi's team. He emphasized the significance of both clubs involved, with Cruz Azul being a historical powerhouse in Mexican football and Inter Miami being a notable team in MLS.
Other Inter Miami players have experienced an unusual week with the media frenzy surrounding Messi's arrival. Despite the attention, USA international DeAndre Yedlin praised Messi's integration into the team, describing him as a great teammate.
Coach Martino noted that Messi appears happy and more relaxed after winning the World Cup with Argentina, relieving the burden of the long quest for international success. This newfound focus allows Messi to fully immerse himself in his new journey with Inter Miami.
In addition to Messi, Inter Miami has also signed former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets and defender Jordi Alba. Busquets expressed excitement at being reunited with Messi and conveyed his admiration for the Argentine as the greatest player in football history.
As fans eagerly anticipate Messi's debut, there is no doubt that his presence will significantly impact the club and the football landscape in the USA. Although expectations are high, the team and coaching staff recognize the importance of gradually integrating Messi into the squad while managing the immense excitement surrounding his arrival.
Messi's debut for Inter Miami is a momentous occasion, and the football world will be eagerly watching to witness the footballing genius in action in the MLS. His arrival has undeniably added a new dimension to Inter Miami, and his influence on the team's performance and popularity in the USA will be closely monitored in the upcoming matches.