miami Few would have imagined that since announcing his new destination to Miami, Lionel Messi would be leading Argentina in their World Cup title defense, not to mention a sixth World Cup.
Messi, 39, returns to Miami, Florida to face Cape Verde, the tournament’s surprise team, in the round of 32. This is the place, which he considers his new home.
Messi scored 6 goals in the group stage. In this process, he also became the player who scored the most goals in the history of the World Cup. He has scored 19 goals. Not only that, he has scored consecutive goals in the last 7 matches of the World Cup. After his dream of winning the World Cup in Qatar came true, he made Major League Soccer his new journey. Many thought that Messi was heading towards a kind of retirement.
However, Messi has proved all such assumptions wrong, that too in both senses. First, his influence on American soccer has been more positive than the actual meaning. Secondly, his performance in international football itself has not been lacking. Only in 2018, David Beckham and his friends founded Inter Miami. Since Messi came, it has also won the title.
Not only did Messi come, other stars playing in Europe were also attracted to the new MLS franchise team. Currently, Miami also has two former Barcelona players, Sergio Busquets and Jody Alba.
Inter won that competition as the League Cup. Clubs from MSL, Canada and Mexico play in it. Last year went even better, with Messi Miami winning the MLS title for the first time in club history.
Considered the greatest player in world football, Messi has had an impact both on and off the field in America. Juwan Pugin, coach of the Revo Soccer Academy near Miami, says, “Since Messi came here, the popularity of football has increased by leaps and bounds.” All have been supporters of Inter. Our academy also has a positive impact. More and more people are coming to learn football now.
69-year-old Lily Diaz, who came here from Buenos Aires, is happy with this fact. She also likes to wear Miyaji’s jersey. Diaz, who left her country a decade ago, believes that the popularity of soccer has revived old memories. She says, “Having a player like Messi is great for Argentina. This is a matter of pride. He is a role model for many youngsters.
62-year-old Johnny Fortes from Buenos Aires came to America to watch his country play. He believes, Argentina will reach the final. He says, “I work differently during the day and at night. Its only purpose was to come to America to watch the World Cup. I have made a lot of sacrifices, but I have also received the full price.